The Open University

OU to host The Business Agility Conference UK

5 September 2024

This September, The Open University (OU) is to host an in-person event at its campus, Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, focusing on business agility and the theme of ‘Leading through Complexity’. The Business Agility Conference UK is a collaboration between the OU, The Business Agility Institute UK and The Cynefin Company. Pre-conference workshops are taking […]

OU research identifies key areas for improving trans healthcare in the UK

28 August 2024

A new study published today and led by The Open University (OU) has identified significant areas for improvement in the care for transgender adults within the NHS. The report, titled ‘Improving the integration of care for trans adults: ICTA a mixed-methods study’, has been published in the journal Health and Social Care Delivery Research by […]

Image shows two people sitting in front of a laptop studying

Open University competition awards £60k in grants to small businesses

18 July 2024

The Open University (OU) has awarded a total of £60,000 to 18 aspiring business owners to support the next generation of student entrepreneurs. 350 people registered for this year’s Open Business Creators Fund competition that has been co-funded by Santander Universities, the Higher Education Innovation Fund and the Welsh Regional Innovation Fund. 90 people took […]

Cover of the 2024 Business Barometer Report

Businesses lack confidence in AI and green technologies as the skills shortage persists

19 June 2024

Across the UK almost two thirds (62%) of organisations continue to struggle with skills gaps The majority (64%) of businesses lack the confidence to apply either AI or green technologies into their organisation Martha Lane Fox, Chancellor of The Open University, and President of British Chambers of Commerce warns organisations need to implement flexible skills […]

Image of first Learning Hub session at Autotrader in Manchester. Tony Whelan is presenting to an audience.

OU launches its Black Leadership and Empowerment Programme

17 May 2024

The Open University (OU) has launched a new initiative designed to empower the next generation of Black leaders in business and the community. The Black Leadership and Empowerment Programme (BLEP) is a product of the OU Business School and will equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in leadership roles. The programme is being […]

Employers report a values and skills mismatch with younger workers

23 April 2024

Three in four (72%) of employers have seen a shift in young people’s (16-24-year olds) values and priorities in the workplace in the past three years, with over half (51%) attributing this to lack of work experience due to the pandemic, a new survey has found. The survey, from The Open University, revealed that nearly […]

The latest Chocolate Scorecard highlights urgent need for industry change

26 March 2024

The Open University (OU) is proud to be part of the 5th Edition of the Chocolate Scorecard that grades chocolate companies on their sustainability and ethics. The annual initiative is coordinated by Be Slavery Free in collaboration with an international team of non-profit organisations and academics, including Dr. Cristiana Bernardi, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and […]

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OU professor urges organisations to consider more supportive policies for the effects of menopause in the workplace

8 March 2024

On International Women’s Day, Jo Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University (OU), speaks to the OU Business School about her latest work and gives insight into the field of menopause in the workplace. At the end of last year Professor Brewis called for the scrutiny of new employment leave policies, highlighting […]

The Open University aims to help transform the fortunes of employers

7 February 2024

In another collaboration with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) The Open University is contributing its 50 years of experience working with businesses to help employers prosper by assisting them in developing the skills they need. It’s all part of the BCC’s new Future of the UK Economy initiative, chaired by the OU’s Chancellor Baroness […]

2024 Open Business Creators Fund competition now open

2 February 2024

The Open University (OU) has relaunched the Open Business Creators Fund competition for 2024. The funding competition, in collaboration with Santander and funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund, offers grants from £1,000 to £10,000 to support OU students and alumni. This year the competition also introduces two separate funding streams – commercial enterprise and […]

OU News

Category: Business