Staff profile

Dr Simon Smith


Academic lead for commercial programmes in Derby International Business School / Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader

Subject

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Academic unit

Derby International Business School

Campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Email

s.smith@derby.ac.uk

About

I am the academic lead for commercial programmes in Derby International Business School, which includes bespoke programme design and programme leadership on a global basis. In addition, I am the programme leader for the MBA Professional, with specialist subject knowledge and experience in Supply Chain Operations, Business Improvement Methods and Leadership.

I have a passion for business improvement with knowledge developed through many years’ experience working with commercial and public sector organisations, designing and managing learning solutions which apply the learning directly to the workplace for significant business impact.

My work with such organisations also enables the curriculum of my on-campus modules and programmes to be informed and current, which gives students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge for enhanced employability and level of business acumen.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Teaching responsibilities

Lecturing/tutoring (subjects)

Professional interests

Application of methods to improve the levels of performance and service in supply chains and public sector organisations.

 

Research interests

The alignment of business improvement concepts, values and commitment and how these link to organisational leadership and strategy development.

 

Membership of professional bodies

Qualifications

Recent conferences

Experience in industry

My current role includes working and liaising with many organisations, many within the Supply Chain and Logistics Sector, including significant experience in the area of business improvement.

Prior to working within an academic environment, I was a senior manager in the semiconductor industry, a role which included the day to management of people, a whole engineering function, project management and working closely with operations and process development. This significant industrial and management experience is drawn upon today, during teaching, subject development, commercial development and research.

International experience

I currently work in different countries with senior managers from commercial organisations. Over my career to date, I have visited various organisations in different countries for work activities. These include Singapore, America, Bangladesh, France, Italy and Mexico.

I also have a depth of experience teaching students from many different parts of the world.

 

Additional interests and activities

I am passionate about business improvement and working with organisations to learn from the application of business improvement methods.

Outside of work, my passions are motor racing and running. I am a championship-winning driver and regularly compete in 5k, 10k and half-marathon events.

In the media

I have occasional requests to appear on radio and television news programs.

Recent publications