In 2023/24 the School of Management celebrated our 60th Anniversary. Over the course of 60 years the School has developed a storied timeline of which we are very proud, with a history comprising of many great people who have helped us to achieve a range of awards, recognitions and successes. Over the course of our 60th Anniversary we have held a number of events, celebrating our heritage and continuing to focus on our future.

The Annual Management Lecture in November 2023 commenced the celebrations, focusing on People as the Core of Responsible Management with alumna Merel Olgers (Director of People & Culture, Universal Music Group) as our keynote speaker.

In April 2024 we hosted the Academic Research Conference, exploring Responsible Management: Now and in the Future as we celebrated six decades of academic excellence, innovation and impactful research. Over 15 speakers were invited including School of Management alumni and former colleagues delving into themes of wellbeing, leadership, AI and sustainability.

April 2024 also saw the launch of the Schools new Research Clusters as the school moves into a future of interdisciplinary research utilising global networks.

History of the School of Management

1960s

In 1963 the Bradford Management Centre was founded, making it one of the first established university-based business schools in the UK.

In 1964 the centre continued to innovate launching programmes in BSc Business Studies and MSc in Management and Administration. This was followed by the launch of the Post-experience programme in 1966 and then the first doctoral programme in 1969.

The Management centre was based in the Emm Lane Building with the Heaton Mount building being purchased in 1967 for use as the Executive Development Centre.

1970s

In 1970 the centre continued to build it's reputation, being awarded in the AMBA Accreditation for pioneering work in management education with the MBA being launched in 1974, replacing the previous MSc in Management and Administration.

1980s

In the 1980s the Bradford Management Centre continued to develop with the part-time MBA being launched in 1982 followed by the launch of the first Executive Corporate MBA and overseas MBA Partnership with NIMBAS collaboration in Netherlands in 1988.

1990s

1992 saw the centre advance partnerships with KPMG Competitions, English Cricket Board celebrations and the launch of the BBC MBA and Diploma. Heaton Mount continued expansions with the opening of Executive Education Facilities for MBA.

Internationalisation was also a focus for the centre in the 1990s with the launch of undergraduate programmes in Singapore and Malaysia in 1992, the Emirates MBA  in Dubai and opening of Dubai Office in 1995 and Distance Learning MBA in 1998.

2000s

In 2000 the Centre was incorporated into the University of Bradford as a Faculty and was then rebranded as the School of Management in 2001. New corporate branding was released with the update and the launch of SME Knowledge Networks (now the Knowledge Transfer Network).

The School of Management was awarded the EQUIS Accreditation in 2000, receiving re-accreditation in 2009. Global expansion continued with the Distance Learning MBA launched in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as the European MA in Management and Adminstration partnered with Deusto and Audencia in 2002. Commitment to MBA delivery continued for the school in 2009 as the Accelerated MBA was launched.

2010s

2010 saw continued expansion of the Emm Lane campus and redevelopment commenced in an effort to modernise and expand student facilities, whilst the Sir Titus Salt Building was officially opened. 

2012 was a landmark year as it achieved the AACSB accreditation meaning the school achieved the Triple-Crown Accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) highlighting continued success and impact as a business school.

In 2013 the RE:Centre (also known as the Sustainable Enterprise Centre) was created at the city centre campus, leading on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate technological, organisational and societal solutions to meet contemporary environmental challenges. 

Re-accreditation for the Triple-Crown was achieved for AMBA (2015), AACSB (2017) and EQUIS (2018) with the school then receiving commendation at the North Educate awards in 2019 for Student Experience. The School of Management then restructured and relocated to Bright Building on the City Campus in 2019.

2020s

In 2020 the School of Management was awarded Business School of the Year at the Educate North awards, then followed up by becoming the first School in England to receive joint accreditation from both AMBA and the Business Graduates Association.

2021 saw continued recognition as the School was awarded the Small Business Charter accreditation and most notably the Times Higher Education Business School of the Year award.

EQUIS re-accreditation was gained in 2022 whilst the school was also named as runner up in the European Triple Awards for Community Engagement Initiative of the Year.  The Entrepreneurship Festival was also launched as a partnership was formed with NatWest to provide students with insight into what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.

Over the course of 2023 and 2024 the School launched the KTN Podcast, Bradford Business Together, and the AI Forum and MBA Summit events as continued our commitment to Responsible Management education and providing our business networks with engagement and learning opportunities.