About

I have worked in higher education since 1987 taking on senior management roles first at the University of Wolverhampton and then in 2007 at the University of Derby’s Buxton Campus, first as Assistant Dean, then in 2008 as Dean and in 2012 as Strategic Director with responsibility for both the HE curriculum and commercial offer at the University’s Buxton campus. During this period my “Real World Learning” vision for applied vocational learning contributed to the Buxton based Tourism and Hospitality degree programmes being ranked first in the UK in the Guardian Subject League table of May 2014. In August 2014, I took on my first cross-University role as the founding Director of the University Strategic Partnerships Unit, which was tasked with “enhancing the University’s reputation and building its income streams through delivering inspirational and innovative partnerships that positively impact the communities and other stakeholders with which the partners engage”. The Unit’s remit included overseas partnerships, UK academic partnerships and corporate partnerships. Then in October 2016, I became the Director of the University’s Strategic Projects with responsibility for:

• Overseeing the operations and the commercial activity at the University of Derby's Buxton Campus, including the development and implementation of plans to improve the volume of commercial activity (October 2016 - December 2017)
• Leading the strategic redefining of the Buxton Campus (December 2016 - December 2017)
• Driving the implementation of the University's International Strategy (December 2017 - June 2018)

In October 2018, I took on a seconded role as the University’s Commercial Director, with responsibility for identifying and taking to market a compelling product offer comprising the physical resources and assets of the University, together with a range of associated services. As part of this role, I was tasked with overseeing the delivery of an outstanding product and service offer, with the intention of enhancing the University’s reputation as a client and business-oriented organisation. My responsibilities also extend to driving the University’s enterprise agenda and to this end I liaised closely with colleagues across the University and with many external stakeholders. This role came to an end in August 2022, when I returned to my substantive role as Director of Strategic Projects. Key areas of focus for the coming 12 months will include:

• Supporting the University to optimise its support for the local and regional economy
• Delivering a series of new and innovative partnership developments

Professional interests

I have a passion for supporting universities to operate as ‘thought leaders’ at the heart of the communities they serve and as such, I have worked throughout my academic career to break down the barriers between ‘town and gown’. This commitment to a civic agenda has seen me being invited to join a number of boards, whilst I also organise an annual series of think tanks that identify major challenges facing the local region and have identified the solutions that need to be put in place to ensure the long-term sustainability of our communities.

Membership of professional bodies

External board memberships

Qualifications

Undergraduate qualifications

• BA (Hons) Combined Studies, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (1983)

Postgraduate qualifications

• MSc, Environmental Sciences (Countryside Recreation Management), University of Salford (1986)

Research qualifications

• PhD on England's most visited attractions: evaluation of success & taxonomy, Manchester Metropolitan University (1996)

Recent conferences

Refereed conference contributions

• Dewhurst, H., Dewhurst, P.D. & Livesey, R. (2006) "Tourism and Hospitality SME Training Needs and Provision: A Sub-Regional Analysis" Paper presented at the CHME Conference, Nottingham, May
• Hassanien, A. & Dewhurst, P.D. (2005) "A Critical Analysis of the Design and Implementation of an Event and Venue Management Programme: A Case Study of the University of Wolverhampton" Paper presented at the 3rd International Event Management Conference & Inaugural event Education and Research Network Australia Symposium, Sydney, July
• Dewhurst, P.D. & Dewhurst, H. (2004) "Strategies for Success? A Study of England's Most Visited Tourist Attractions" Paper presented at the Tourism: State of the Art II Conference, Strathclyde University, June
• Dewhurst, P.D. & Horobin, H. (1997) "The Owners of Small Tourism and Hospitality Firms: A Proposed Classification" Paper presented at the EuroCHRIE conference, Sheffield Hallam University, November
• Dewhurst, P.D. (1992) "The Transformation of England's Visitor Attractions" Paper presented at the Conference of Hospitality Management Education, Birmingham Polytechnic, April

Conference contributions

• Dewhurst, P.D. (1997) "A World of Possibilities: Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University" Paper presented at the Ung '97 educational recruitment fair, Oslo, January
• Dewhurst, P.D. (1991) "An Evaluation of England's Most Visited Attractions: A Methodological Review" Paper presented at the Environmental Sciences research seminar, Manchester Metropolitan University, May
• Dewhurst, P.D. (1990) "Tourism and Geography" Paper presented at the Manchester School's Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, November
• Dewhurst, P.D. (1990) " England 's Tourist Attractions: An Evaluation of Success" Paper presented at the Museums, Heritage Centres, Design and Tourism research conference, Manchester Metropolitan University

Experience in industry

I operated my own import, wholesale and retail business whilst undertaking my Masters degree.

International experience

During my time at Wolverhampton University I was involved in Masters level teaching delivery in Switzerland, whilst a number of my roles, especially that as Director of the Strategic Partnerships Unit at the University of Derby, have seen me overseeing the establishment and development of academic partnerships across many overseas countries.

Recent publications