Professor Martin Meyer, director of Kent Business School

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The new director of Kent Business School has pledged to strengthen its links with firms across the county.

Professor Martin Meyer officially takes over the role in July, although he will join the school in April. He currently heads business and management at the University of Sussex in Brighton.

KBS, part of the University of Kent, operates from campuses in Canterbury and Medway. It has 1,600 students.

Applications to the Medway campus have risen 100%, with students attracted by a year of practical experience in industry and enhanced prospects for a job after graduation.

Prof Meyer said: “The school has a well-established reputation as a leading regional centre for business and management research, teaching and engagement, which I believe we can build on nationally and indeed internationally.

"One of my first priorities will be to further strengthen the School’s links with businesses in the region to facilitate the mutually-beneficial transfer of cutting-edge knowledge and expertise."

An expert on innovation, his reasearch has focused on knowledge exchange, academic patenting and emerging science-based technologies.

He has a particular interest in nanotechnologies and the way technologies and knowledge can transfer between universities and business.

The school has also appointed Professor Veronica Wong, also from the University of Sussex, to head its marketing group. She is an expert in a number of research areas, including knowledge and innovation management.