Joint Roles in Manufacturing and the Process of Change

In 1988 Neil Burns was appointed to a position jointly sponsored by Davy Morris Limited and Loughborough University of Technology. The appointment was unusual and pioneering in many respects, in that it required Burns to act as an Executive Director at the Company while carrying out a full academic role as Professor of Manufacturing Systems at the University. Peter Harrisson, who is Chief Executive of Davy Corporation's Mechanical Handling Division, has also been a member of the University Council since 1989. The joint role has been operating for two years and the benefits and problems have now been evaluated. The appointment has been beneficial in accelerating the process of change at Davy Morris, helping it in its progress towards its goal of achieving ‘world class’ performance in its various activities. It has also been a focus for attracting high-calibre personnel into both the Company and University. Burns, as a Davy Morris Director, has been directly involved with the short-term issues affecting the business and has been able to share these with the students. At the same time he has had access to the innovative thinking that exists within the University and has helped the Company with its development plans. The joint role has benefited from the close proximity of the two organizations, providing flexibility in timing and movement in the appointment. After two years both the Company and the University have realized greater than anticipated benefits and it is evident that the scheme is applicable for industry and institutions of higher education, not only in engineering but across a wide range of disciplines.