University vice-chancellor opens landmark facility

The successful public-private sector partnership between Coventry University and outsourcing giant TNT Business Solutions has been celebrated with the opening of a major facility.

Professor Madeleine Atkins, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, unveiled TNT Business Solutions’ new records management centre at Cross Point Business Park in Coventry.

The official launch of the centre highlighted the strong relationship between TNT Business Solutions and Coventry University, through its leadership development arm Acua Limited.

Acua Limited is delivering a foundation degree in Leadership Capability to 13 TNT Business Solutions employees to develop managerial talent and expertise within the company.

The two-and-half-year foundation degree covers all aspects of leadership, project management, organisational structure and many other facets of business and is designed to help managers get the most out of their teams.

Sue Barnes, Director of HR at TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, explains:

The Foundation Degree is realising excellent results for us through a combination of both academic and vocational learning, which helps us to develop knowledge and skills, enhancing our people capability and ultimately, the service we are able to provide to our customers.

The programme includes specialist information and records management modules and one of the learners, Sarah Shelton, Business Development Manager TNT Business Solutions, project managed the creation of the new centre which is taking on the storage of Land Registry documents.

Professor Atkins said: “It’s a pleasure to be invited by TNT to open their new facility at
Cross Point Business Park. Acua and TNT have built up a strong working relationship over the past two years, and its success goes to show what a key role public-private sector collaboration has to play in our city.

It also demonstrates the importance of close ties between higher education and business. Through Acua’s programmes, the University’s business-friendly approach and expertise in innovative learning is directly benefiting organisations’ workforces at a time when employee engagement and professional development is crucial to growth.

As part of the partnership, TNT Business Solutions became a founder member of the Acua Leadership Networking Forum which provides companies with the opportunity to discuss business issues and exchange ideas.

The Forum was successfully trialled with TNT Business Solutions and West Midlands Fire Service attending a workshop to share best practice between the public and private sectors.

Since being established by Coventry University in 2008, Acua Limited has become a driving force behind improvement in organisational performance by developing, delivering and accrediting work-based leadership and talent management programmes.

Its commercially-experienced leadership development specialists have worked with more than 100 bluechip companies across the UK, and from a range of both private and public sectors, to help develop a talent pool of nearly 10,000 employees.

The Cross Point facility is the new home for Land Registry’s extensive property records store as part of a long-term contract held by TNT Business Solutions to handle and store the government organisation’s documents.

Pictured from left to right - Malcolm Dawson, Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive at Land Registry, Alistair Cochrane, Managing Director TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, Professor Madeleine Atkins, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, Sue Barnes, Director of HR at TNT Express, and Tim Robb, Divisional Director of TNT Business Solutions.

For further information, please contact Alex Roache, external press and media relations officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7679 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.