Fresh Look On Innovative Thinking From University Expert

Date posted: 25 October 2012

An innovation expert who has advised global brand companies will mark becoming a University of Derby Visiting Professor with a free public talk on the need for smarter thinking in business.

Professor Dennis McKeag, Professor of Product Development at the University of Ulster, has spent more than 30 years working with small and medium-sized enterprises, and national and multinational companies; helping them improve the efficiency and thinking around their manufacturing processes, and to increase profits.

His clients have included the Ford Motor Company and automotive safety company the Takata Corporation of Japan, which has 20 plants worldwide.

He has written more than 100 publications on his areas of expertise in innovation, design, creativity and continuous business improvement.

Professor McKeag will celebrate his joining of the University of Derby - as a Visiting Professor with the School of Technology in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology - with a free public lecture entitled Innovation, it doesn't just happen.

It will be held in The Courtroom (Room OL2) at the University's main Kedleston Road site in Derby, from 6.30pm on Wednesday November 14.

He said: "I will be looking at the need for greater innovation in modern industrial society and whether businesses, particularly those involved in the design and engineering sectors, have the will to change to improve output.

"An advantage of having worked closely with multi-national companies is that the knowledge and know-how they have can be adapted for, and learnt by, small and medium-sized enterprises."

Professor McKeag's work as a Visiting Professor at Derby will inform its existing Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, where University experts can be contracted to work with businesses on real production problems or help them develop new markets.

Angela Dean, Head of the University's School of Technology, added: "We are delighted to have someone of Professor McKeag's standing become a Visiting Professor at Derby.

"I would urge anyone interested in learning about the latest thinking on innovation in business to attend his talk."

Anyone wishing to come to Professor McKeag's free public lecture on November 14 can book a place through website www.derby.ac.uk/mckeag or by calling University Events Officer Angela Drinkwater on 01332 591046.

For further press information please contact Sean Kirby, University of Derby Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103.