INTO This Week 66

One of the key strategic conclusions from the INTO Strategy 2011-15 process was a recognition of the need to ensure that the business is appropriately resourced to deliver the ambitious growth targets that have been set. As INTO expands beyond the UK into the US and Asia, the Executive Team needs to ensure that the company is properly resourced and is being managed towards its strategic targets on a global level.

For the past 5 years John Sykes has been doubling up in his capacity as both UK and Group Managing Director. As INTO moves into the next phase of growth, a UK/Europe Managing Director has been appointed to manage INTO's UK operations, freeing John to focus on wider group issues.

INTO is delighted to announce that Jeremy Lindley from the University of Exeter will be taking up this pivotal role.  Jeremy has worked for the past six years as Director of Finance and Deputy Registrar where he has been tremendously successful in seeing through an exciting period of growth and development at the University.

Additionally, Liz Munro has been appointed to the new role of CEO: London Operations. With the recent announcement of the joint venture with St George's, University of London and plans to open a further facility in London in September 2012, it is anticipated that the overall London operation will account for approximately one third of all INTO's UK operations within five years and Liz will manage and develop this expansion.

As the company grows in size and reputation, it is increasingly important to consolidate functions in a structure that makes sense in order to optimize performance and ensure group-wide consistency.  Consequently, we will be expanding the scope of the Group Strategy and Business Development Unit. Headed up by Geoff Webster, the unit will with immediate effect encompass the following functions: Group Strategy, European Business Development, Public Affairs, Group Research, Group Corporate Communications (internal & external), Brand & External Positioning and New Products & Innovation.  In addition, the Unit will provide central support and assistance to our Business Development teams in the US and Asia. You can see a chart showing the people in this expanded Unit here.

An exciting new area that the team will be driving is 'New Products and Innovation' - and this is where each of you come in! INTO is a pioneer in the realm of higher education provision, but to keep our edge we must ensure that innovative and new products are continuously being sought out, incubated and implemented to realise the true potential of each of our centres. This entrepreneurial task is a company-wide responsibility and the Business Development Unit is really keen to hear any suggestions that people may have for new products, programmes, process enhancements and general good ideas. An incentive programme is being developed to reward successful submissions. Our target is to bring at least one new, market-leading product to our customers each and every year!

If you do have an idea to share, please contact your line manager or email hesther.levy@into.uk.com

INTO has been included in the exporting excellence and higher education provider of the year categories, and will attend a prestigious awards ceremony and dinner on November 17th at the Grosvenor House Hotel along with some of the sector's biggest names including Study Group, BPP and Cambridge Education.

The event will be a major marketing opportunity for INTO, which will have its successes showcased to 450 high profile guests from the sector including senior staff from universities and government, private equity houses, construction companies, and major education providers and consultants.

In the exporting excellence category its significant contribution to the UK economy through the recruitment of international students and the widening of access to UK HE will be highlighted. In 2009-10 INTO saw more than 7,000 commencements to courses and brought £13.6 million in revenue to partners through progressing students. Other nominees in this category include Tutors International, Carfax Education Group, Edinburgh's Telford College and Nord Anglia.

For the HE provider of the year award INTO will be up against BPP, Kaplan, RDI and Study Group. Judges will look at INTO's unique public-private model which allows university partners to access extensive resources and investment in marketing, property development and services while avoiding the academic and brand compromises of outsourcing. INTO's impressive record of student success, including 89% student progression and 90% student satisfaction, will also get airplay.

Chairman of INTO University Partnerships Andrew Colin said: "It's an honour to be nominated for these awards which recognise the strongest names in the sector for their contributions to UK education. After sustained growth and student success over the last five years, INTO has built a reputation as a sector leader and I am proud of our progress. The nominations are a tribute to the hard work put in by our global network of staff."

Education Investor has established itself as the leading magazine and website for Britain's education industry. The Awards, launched in 2010, pay tribute to organisations that make outstanding contributions to the sector. Nominations are considered by panel of expert judges which this year includes former education secretary Charles Clarke and Universities UK director of policy Paul Clarke.

Winners of Education Investor awards in 2010 include Cambridge Education for consultants of the year, KPMG for financial advisors of the year, BPP for post-16 education provider of the year and Cognita for exporting excellence.