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How WBS works

Warwick Business School is a department of the University of Warwick. The University was founded by Royal Charter in March 1965, and WBS was created as the School of Industrial and Business Studies (SIBS) in 1967. WBS took its present name in 1987.

WBS is led by its Dean, Professor Mark P Taylor. His senior management team consists of a Chief Administrative Officer, Head of Financial Strategy, and a Pro Dean for Research. In all governance, WBS operates within the regulatory framework of the University of Warwick.

A team of Associate Deans have responsibility for decision-making in functional areas, ensuring clear reporting in areas of related activity. Each of the Associate Deans is supported by a committee or consultative body.

Management boards

Steering Group comprises the Dean, Pro Dean, Associate Deans, Chief Administrative Officer and Head of Financial Strategy. This group meets weekly or fortnightly to steer the day-to-day business of WBS in areas where the Dean wishes to consult.

The senior management of WBS is also supported by an Advisory Board of lay and business community members.

Supporting academics

The 206 academic staff are members of teaching subject groups, research centres and units, and sometimes of both. Each subject group has a group convenor or head, and devolved group management. Each research centre has a director, and has similarly devolved management. Research centres may have a board with external representation to ensure practical relevance of research strategy. Research units are typically less formally structured, allowing members to share knowledge and experience within a discipline.

WBS is unusual among university-based business schools in the UK, having a strategy of employing professional management and administrative staff, to allow faculty to focus on delivery of teaching and research. The 204 non-academic staff are managed in functional groups under the Chief Administrative Officer. There are groups performing central activities such as marketing & communications, finance, information systems, and human resources. Other staff members work in programme teams or in roles which support academic research activity.

WBS has a dedicated Academic Services team, looking after areas including facilities & infrastructure, examinations, teaching quality, and timetabling.