MK:U at Future Cities Forum

Future Cities Forum is very pleased that Professor Lynnette Ryals, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Cranfield University and Chief Executive of MK:U, will be speaking at our Cambridge forum next month. The forum is taking a particular look at the development of the Oxford- Milton Keynes - Cambridge Arc and how the new university - which is a joint venture between Cranfield University and the borough council - will set standards of technology learning and achievement in Milton Keynes that will benefit the wider area for employment, education and skills.

The forum will ask important questions on the future economy and health of our leading UK science and technology cities and will also cover the role of higher education institutions and housing infrastructure in the development of the Arc as Europe's largest knowledge region.

Cranfield University is lead higher education partner working with Milton Keynes Council to develop the plan for MK:U, with the aim to open the new campus, designed by Hopkins Architects - which will be constructed on the last undeveloped block in the city centre - in 2023. MK:U will deliver flexible, business-focused education based on a digital economy curriculum. MK:U is about to start courses in this term, but based in temporary accommodation.

Lynette's professional background is in financial services and management consultancy. She is a Fellow of the Society of Investment Professionals, Fellow of the Chartered institute of Logistics and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has an MA (Oxon), an MBA, and a PhD from Cranfield which researched how understanding customer profitability changed customer management practices in two international financial institutions.

Before taking on her current role at Cranfield she was Professor of Strategic Sales and Account Management in the university's School of Management and then Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education). She was also Chair of The Case Centre (2011-2017) and Dean of Cranfield School of Management (2017-2019).

Lynette was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours 2019.

Image below: CGI of proposed MK:U main building (Hopkins Architects)