Professor Nic Beech receives three awards from the British Academy of Management

Middlesex Vice-Chancellor recognised by the British Academy of Management for his “unparalleled service”

Middlesex University’s outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech has been awarded three prestigious business awards from the British Academy of Management (BAM) for his “unparalleled service” when previously serving as its chairman and president.

These awards, the Richard Whipp Lifetime Achievement Award, the Cooper Medal for Outstanding Contribution and Leadership and the BAM Medal for Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Respect, are due to be presented at the BAM annual conference at the University of Sussex in Brighton on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

"Nic's long service to the BAM Executive has meant that this is the first opportunity we have had to formally recognise his contribution. Nic is truly a remarkable person, who has given so much to our community, to the benefit of so many, over his entire career." Professor Katy Mason and Professor Emma Parry, BAM

The BAM, which has more than 2,000 members, is a leading authority on the academic field of management.

Commenting on the Nic's awards, Professor Katy Mason, President of  BAM and Professor Emma Parry, the organisation's Chair said:

“Nic’s dedication to our Academy, over more than twenty years, is recognised through our most prestigious awards. The Richard Whipp Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates Nic’s outstanding contribution to our Academy, our business and management community, and to Higher Education more broadly - in the UK and internationally.

"The Cooper Medal for Outstanding Contribution and Leadership speaks for itself. Nic stepped-up to the BAM leadership at a time when BAM’s future was unclear. As the Academy’s longest serving Chair and President, he put BAM onto a sustainable financial footing, restructured and re-energised the leadership, welcomed new communities into BAM and created a culture where Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Respect (EDIR) could flourish and impact other institutions. His leadership is without equal.

“Nic’s leadership has also influenced the establishment of a new medal this year - the BAM Medal for EDIR. As the inaugural recipient, this medal celebrates Nic’s longstanding commitment to EDIR, which has led to substantial change at BAM and beyond.

“Nic’s long service to the BAM Executive, has meant that this is the first opportunity we have had to formally recognise his contribution. Nic is truly a remarkable person, who has given so much to our community, to the benefit of so many, over his entire career.”

“I’m delighted and honoured to receive these awards from BAM. Effective and empathetic leadership recognises that the strengths of diversity and inclusion result in a more motivated workforce which is good for business, managers and staff. The research is compelling on this and we need to promote engagement between business and academics to make ethical and business improvements. Every day we hear stories of disillusioned staff and low morale. This is not what good business management is about and I committed to supporting BAM to promote good practice and leadership.” Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University

Professor Sean Wellington is now the new interim Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University as Professor Beech is  stepping down to become the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford.