GC Group Chief Executive appointed Honorary Professor of Productivity and Innovation

Mark Hughes MBE, Group Chief Executive of the Growth Company has been appointed as an Honorary Professor of Productivity and Innovation at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS). He will take up his new role at The Productivity Institute, the UK-wide research organisation charged with increasing productivity and exploring its contribution to quality living standards and wellbeing. 
 
This appointment will enhance the extensive partnership that already takes place between the Growth Company and the University of Manchester, which establishes collaborations between businesses and research teams to drive innovation, and develop leadership and management skills within SMEs. 
 
Bart van Ark, Managing Director of The Productivity Institute and Professor of Productivity Studies at Alliance Manchester Business School, welcomed Mark’s appointment. 
 
“The Productivity Institute, which is a nationwide research organisation, aims to tackle the productivity problem at a national and regional level. Mark’s appointment speaks to the widely acclaimed role he and the Growth Company are taking to deliver productivity through innovation. We are looking forward to working with Mark.” 
 
Mark said: “GC is a social enterprise committed to delivering inclusive and sustainable prosperity, and increased productivity and innovation are key to this. Higher levels of productivity and innovation leads to business growth, better jobs and ultimately more prosperous communities, and I am encouraged to see productivity moving up the political and economic agenda.”   
 
“This is clearly a very interesting moment in terms of the productivity debate, so strongly linked as it is with the wider levelling-up, innovation, sustainability and skills. There is now an opportunity for a better dialogue about what can be done well at the local level, and how national and local partners can work together effectively.” 
 
“The UK is home to some of the most productive businesses in the world, and this provides us with a solid foundation to build on. The Productivity Institute and GC will take a significant role in meeting this challenge head on.” 
 
To read more about the appointment, visit the Alliance Manchester Business School’s website.