Apr 4, 2023
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of change and collaboration. Having moved from the retail sector to higher education, Robert shares his journey since joining the University of Glasgow. We explore what his team want to be famous for, and how they have become more comfortable managing the ‘grey’, understanding that often things aren’t either right or wrong, black, or white, yes or no.
KEY TAKEAWAY
“Spending time helping people to understand where they fit in to the overarching plan, to the overarching goals and helping them to understand how best to use and manage those relationships and connections between them, is critical because you'll ultimately get more done as a result.”
ABOUT ROBERT
Robert joined Higher Education, having spent 17 years working for the John Lewis Partnership. A graduate of the University of St Andrews, his retail experience spans the length and breadth of the UK from in a variety of store and head office roles. Immediately prior to joining the University of Glasgow he was Head of Branch at John Lewis Aberdeen, having previously fulfilled the same role for a new store opening in York in 2014.
Commercial Services was a newly formed function at Glasgow in 2018 and includes Catering & Events, Accommodation, Retail, Sport, Print, and the University Nursery. With a combined annual turnover of some £36m, previously these individual services were all managed separately, so the bringing together provided an ideal platform for growth in revenue and contribution, business development and improvement in customer experience.
Diversifying capability and introducing new opportunities is back underway post-pandemic with several projects including the opening of 5 new catering propositions (delivered through a profit-sharing subsidiary company), work to deliver additional bedspaces and the introduction of a convenience retail offer.
CONNECT WITH ROBERT
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgarnish/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robertajgarnish
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbieg77/
Email: robert.garnish@glasgow.ac.uk
ABOUT THE HOST – MEL LOIZOU
Mel is a Consultant, Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, Podcast Host & Mum. Specialising in leadership and change management in the Higher Education sector, Mel uses her Fish Climb Trees philosophy to help individuals, teams and organisations, shift from that place of believing they can’t, to one where they know they absolutely can.
If you would like Mel to help you with your leadership and change management challenges, then please book a free 30 min call via https://calendly.com/melloizou/initialchat
Check out Mel’s Book, When Fish Climb Trees*: When Fish Climb Trees
Check out Mel’s TEDx Talk, Ditch Your Fishnets, Boost Your Resilience: https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_loizou_ditch_your_fishnets_boost_your_resilience
CONNECT WITH MEL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melloizou/
https://www.instagram.com/mel.loizou/
https://twitter.com/Mel_Loizou
https://www.fishclimbtrees.co.uk
HOSTED BY: Mel Loizou
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. Please conduct your own due diligence.
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