Alliance Manchester Business School’s new campus building has been officially opened today by Lord David Alliance of Manchester CBE.
The region’s business leaders joined Lord Alliance, senior academics and students to celebrate at the event which included a discussion between Andy Haldane, The Bank of England’s Chief Economist and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, on the role of universities in the future of UK productivity. The discussion was facilitated by Sky News business reporter Ian King.
The new Alliance Manchester Business School is located at the heart of The University of Manchester’s world-class campus and will play a leading role in equipping Greater Manchester’s future business leaders with the talent needed to further strengthen the North West economy.
The building has been funded in part by a £15m donation from Lord Alliance – the University’s largest ever donation. A further £9.7m was awarded in grant funding by Research England through their UK Research Partnership Investment Fund.
Lord Alliance of Manchester said: “I have been working closely with The University of Manchester for many years and I have always been inspired by the achievements of the Business School. It undertakes and delivers pioneering research that benefits not only the local North West economy, but the wider business community too.
“It was an honour to officially open the building and wonderful to see so many people join us to celebrate. I have no doubt that the new facilities will help us to develop the next generation of international leaders, managers and entrepreneurs in Manchester, in the UK and globally.”
This project is part of the University of Manchester’s wider 10 year Campus Masterplan, which will create a world-class estate for students, staff and visitors.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell added: “The opening of Alliance Manchester Business School’s extensively refurbished building is an important occasion and we are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate the creation of its world-class facilities with our community.
“The building brings all of the Business School’s divisions and departments together under one roof, creating a centre of excellence for our academic business research, while also housing state-of-the-art facilities for our students and partners.
“We are extremely grateful to those who have helped us reach this point, with particular thanks to Lord Alliance and Research England for their significant support. We are all incredibly excited to see what lies ahead for the School.”
The impressive building houses all business school staff and students, and consists of a statement reception and entrance, The Masood Enterprise Centre, Eddie Davies library, finance zone and lecture theatre and General Traffic Lecture Theatre, which are just some of the inspiring spaces added.
A new two-storey Executive Education Centre sits adjacent to the newly redeveloped Alliance Manchester Business School, which is a dedicated space for delegates on corporate leadership and management programmes.
Professor Fiona Devine, Head at Alliance Manchester Business School said: “The transformation of the building has provided a facility that matches our international reputation, enhances our competitive advantage and improves the experience for our students, delegates, staff and visitors.
“The new frontage of floor to ceiling windows over Oxford Road now gives us more visibility and a stronger connection with the rest of The University of Manchester campus, the wider Oxford Road Corridor community and the City of Manchester.
“I am delighted we now have top-class facilities for our students, clients and staff to support the best teaching, learning, research and business collaborations.”
The project concept, development and construction works were overseen by the University’s Directorate of Estates and Facilities, designed by architects at BDP, delivered by property company Bruntwood and the construction managers were Mace. The project was awarded a Design Excellence Award at the recent Insider Property Awards.
Alliance MBS is the largest campus-based business and management school in the UK.
