The event took place on Friday 19 January, marking the first event of 2018 for the club, at the Park Plaza Hotel in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham.

Edward joined Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as Vice-Chancellor in August 2014.  The university currently employs around 4,000 staff across four campuses and educates around 30,000 students.

Prior to joining the team at NTU, Edward worked at the University of Birmingham as Head of the College of Social Sciences and earlier in his career was a manager in the UK National Health Service, including here in Nottingham. His academic interests encompass public policy and organisational leadership.

As well as being Vice-Chancellor, Edward is currently Treasurer of University Alliance, a mission group of like-minded universities in the UK. He also sits on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Board, the Midlands Engine Executive Board, the board of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association, and that of Notts County Football Club.

The title of his talk was ‘Developing Skills and Enabling Innovation, since 1843’. He referenced the origins of Nottingham Trent University and the contribution that the university makes to the economic, cultural and civic development of the city.

In addition, Edward highlighted the ways in which the university develops the skills of students and how it supports the innovation of industry, commerce and public services in the city and county.

Speaking after the event, he said: “It was a really good opportunity to interact with some great businesses in the city.  The event was attended by a very engaging group of people who asked some great questions.”