Masterclass 8

Facilitated by Innovating Works at the University of Strathclyde

Title: Workplace Innovation Masterclass 8: Harnessing Workplace Innovation for Shared Benefit

Date: Thursday 7 June 2018

Time: 09.30 - 14.00

Location: Grand Central Hotel, 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SF.


The final Workplace Innovation Masterclass of our series will gather together evidence on how workplace innovation, in all its forms, can bring together an organisation's people, processes and networks to develop new ways of working that benefit everyone. We will hear from innovative Scottish businesses across a range of sectors, and reflect on insights from Scottish Enterprise's and Strathclyde Business School's work to promote fair work and innovation.

Our Speakers

Matt Chapman is Founder and Managing Director at Contagious. Following 10 years working as a designer for agencies in Edinburgh, London and Singapore, Matt founded Contagious in 2001, with not much more than a rose-tinted vision of a passionately creative agency and a hunger to work with aspirational global lifestyle brands. Since then, Contagious has transformed from a team of two, working out of a shared office in a loft-space with a vintage Mac - to a diverse team of nearly 40 designers, strategists, developers and support staff, producing award-winning creative work from studios in Edinburgh and Glasgow, for clients all around the globe. Matt's role as Managing Director sees him divide his time three ways: nurturing a growing (and changing), multi-disciplinary team; responding to the ever-increasing demands of international clients; and developing new business opportunities both within the world of premium spirits and other sectors.

Patricia Findlay is Professor of Work and Employment Relations and Director of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research (SCER) at Strathclyde Business School. She is Co-chair of the Fair Work Convention, having previously been a member of the Scottish Government Review Group - Working Together: Progressive Workplace Policies in Scotland. She is a member of the Scottish Government's Innovation Forum. As Director of SCER, Patricia leads the Innovating Works Team, working closely with employers in a project aimed at Harnessing Knowledge, Research and Networks to drive Fair, Innovative and Transformative Work (FITwork) in Scotland.

Brian MacAuley is Senior Bulk Operations Manager at Chivas Brothers. He has 28 years' experience in the whisky industry across Malt, Grain, Bulk Spirit & Warehousing Operations. Within his current role, Brian covers 20 sites across Scotland with approximately 200 people, 6 of these sites being Top Tier CoMAH sites. Being in a senior management position there is a requirement and an opportunity for Brian to deliver a clear strategic vision for people, plant and operational improvement.

David O'Byrne is Head of Operational Excellence for Argenta, a New Zealand based pharmaceutical company specialising in animal health. David is based at Argenta's manufacturing facility in Dundee, Scotland. He was responsible for introducing Workplace Innovation to Argenta and has become a vocal supporter of the philosophy; particularly how it can be combined with lean six sigma to make lasting positive change for a business. Before moving to Scotland five years ago David worked for over a decade for Pfizer in his native Ireland. He holds a green belt in lean six sigma and has just completed his MBA at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

Paul Succony is UK Total Supply Chain Director, Farne Salmon and Trout & Lyons Seafoods. Paul's significant experience lies in manufacturing roles in short shelf-life chilled food. He is responsible for the entire supply chain from end-to-end in both Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd in Duns and Lyons Seafoods in Warminster. Together these businesses employ 1000 people. At the recent 2017 Business Insider Scotland's Best Employer Awards, Farne Salmon won the Scottish Employer of the Year, Best Health & Wellbeing and Best Work Environment awards. Paul will demonstrate how adopting HR practices that support workplace innovation can offer shared benefit for people and business performance. He will reflect on his career, sharing key moments which shaped his approach to leadership.

Martin Welsh has been Managing Director of Booth Welsh since 2008. He has led the growth and evolution of the company from blue collar installation services to white collar multi-discipline design engineering services, supporting the people of Booth Welsh to develop it into the £18 million+ business it is today. Martin is a member of the Scottish Government Life & Chemical Sciences Technology Steering Group as well as Board Member of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce. He is a self-confessed "gadget geek" and is an early adopter of new technologies. Driving value through digitalisation and showcasing benefits for everyone is a key passion of his.