Five new Fellowships of the Chartered Association of Business Schools were awarded at the Chartered ABS’s Annual Conference this November. This included Professor Debra Leighton, who received the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the work of business schools and to the Chartered ABS's mission over the course of several years.

Professor Debra Leighton CMBE is the former Executive Dean of University of Bedfordshire Business School, and is currently a Professor of Management Practice.

She was nominated for the award by the CABS Leaders in Learning and Teaching Development programme participants, Associate Deans of Learning and Teaching from across the business school sector.

Professor Leighton has worked with the Chartered ABS since 2011, and her experience includes the leadership and facilitation of the Leaders in Learning and Teaching programme, acting as adviser to the Small Business Charter network, membership of the CABS Learning, Teaching and Student Experience committee, contributor to the Dean and Directors Development Programme and CMBE events and conference panel member and presenter.  

Congratulations to our professor of practice Debra Leighton on receiving the @CharteredABS Fellowship award at the CABS Annual Conference earlier this month! We're so proud!#CABS #business #management #education #WednesdayMotivation #WednesdayThoughts #award @uobnews @uniofbeds pic.twitter.com/IW1qL6vp8n

— BedsBiz (@BedsBiz) November 27, 2019

Through the Chartered ABS, Professor Leighton has enabled the University of Bedfordshire Business School to capitalise on opportunities to engage in events and networks that have driven forward the School’s strategy and impact assessment agenda, as well as delivering added value to the staff and student experience. She has also been able to support sector wide initiatives aimed at the development of an entire community of business educators who are dedicated to excellence in business and management education.

Upon receiving her award, Professor Leighton said: “I am delighted to receive this award and to have been nominated by the Leaders in Learning and Teaching cohorts makes it even more special.

“It has been a privilege to work with the Chartered ABS as they continue to support business schools at a time of sector wide turbulence, and I look forward to many more exciting opportunities to contribute to their work in future.”