Some weeks, running a small business feels like spinning plates in a wind tunnel. This academic year? Well, there have been moments where we’ve had to apply some of our own advice and create space to consider what’s next, to move forward with greater clarity. Because right now, higher education is being redefined. Student expectations. Global markets. Portfolio strategy. Resourcing. All moving parts of a complex, shifting puzzle. And with that puzzle comes a redefinition of h

When researching Development Opportunities for our Sharing the Experience Master’s Playbook report, 43 program and portfolio leaders told us a clear story: master’s degrees remain one of the most agile and strategic growth areas for business schools. The opportunity isn’t just to launch more programs, but to design smarter, more connected portfolios that create savings and build on the strengths and reputation of your school. We heard how schools are: - Using modular designs

Working with the awesome Tawnya Means to design and present her newly updated report has been a real privilege, shaping a fresh look and feel for Inspire Higher Ed. The report: 'A Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Business Education: Exemplars and Critical Themes for Successful Integration' is a collaboration with AACSB, GMAC and Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable and is a great reminder that good collaborations stretch us in all the right ways. This report capt

Hardcastle & Associates has always been about the mix. The mix of services, the mix of talented people and the mix of curiosity and creativity that keeps ideas fresh (and clients coming back)

Our new Sharing the Experience report: 'The Master’s Playbook: Building and Managing a Competitive Degree Portfolio' launches today at the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable Symposium at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business . One theme kept surfacing in our conversations: the best master’s programs don’t just chase demand — they balance it with purpose, expertise, and authenticity. As one portfolio leader told us, “We only create programs where

I really enjoyed speaking at the EFMD Strategic Development Programme for Deans in Brussels.

How many plates can a Director of Master's Programs spin? Between shifting market demands, evolving student expectations, and tightening budgets. it’s a delicate balancing act requiring plenty of strategy, agility AND a steady hand! Next week at the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable Symposium at University of South Florida Muma College of Business , we’ll be launching our latest Sharing the Experience report: 'The Master's Playbook: Building and Managing a Competitive

Excited to have been asked by Prof Tim Vorley OBE to contribute a chapter 'Transforming Advisory Boards: from tick-box exercise to visionary ambassadors' to this new book 'How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities', and privileged to be among such inspiring contributors. My thanks to the editorial team at Oxford Brookes Business School and in particular Nick Wilton and Syahirah Abdul Rahman (Shera) for their guidance to make my first ever book contrib

Not saying our stand was busy at ICAM yesterday… but let’s just say the team didn’t make it out on the town last night! From developing...

It’s (almost) time! Next Monday morning, as the doors swing open to AACSB’s ICAM, we’ll be right there at Stand 7.07 — smiling, ready,...

When I started Hardcastle & Associates it was genuinely to work closer with my network, getting to know clients better to help them take...

Life certainly isn't dull at the moment! Advisory Board hat away, MBA Review hat away - and straight on with the Business School...

In this busy varied life that I am really loving, today brings a workshop at EFMD Global 's MBA Conference with Jeff Bieganek from...

Working in Canada this week, this is my new favourite phrase as it absolutely sums up so many of the challenges with advisory board...

Excited to launch our new Advisory Board Impact Case Examples. When you are dealing with a dynamic marketplace, need to embrace change...