David Hind, Head of School of Events, Tourism & Hospitality

“I’m proud that we are global leaders in events, tourism & hospitality”

David Hind joined our University in 2001 as Head of the Centre for Tourism Management, progressing to Subject Group Leader of Tourism & Entertainment in 2009 and since 2011 as been successful in commanding his current post of Head of School of Events, Tourism & Hospitality.

Originally from Beverley, Yorkshire, David’s father worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and the family moved to Blackpool, then Somerset and up to Cumbria in the late 1970’s. He worked for the National Westminster Bank then went as a mature student to Portsmouth Polytechnic to study Geography, then to Bradford University to study an MBA.

He went into business as a tour operator, specialising in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Then in 1985 he helped establish the first Travel & Tourism degree in the UK at the (then) Newcastle Polytechnic, now, since 1992, Northumbria University. David was appointed Principal Lecturer in charge of the curriculum at the newly established Carlisle campus and then taught Business Management before joining our University in 2001.

In ensuring an inspiring and robust portfolio, David travels internationally. In January this year he went to visit the Bandung Institute of Tourism, Indonesia to validate and recruit onto the MSc International Tourism & Hospitality Management degree. In March he travelled to Gambia & Ghana to continue cementing partnerships and recruiting to our MSc Responsible Tourism Management course.

Asked about changes he has seen and been part of since joining our University, David told us that three Vice Chancellors have held the post; Leslie Wagner; Simon Lee and our current Vice Chancellor, Susan Price. The Estate has expanded to include the Rose Bowl, the Carnegie Pavilion and Broadcasting Place and the curriculum is being refocused. In the sector, the Government policy towards Higher Education, the introduction of fees, the decrease in allocated student numbers and the UK Border Agency changes have had an unprecedented impact on the political and economic environment for Higher Education and its delivery at our University.

Following his promotion to one of the new Head of School posts, he explained that “the role involves providing leadership for an academic group within the new faculty structures and to guide the future direction of the academic group in the ‘New World of HE’”.

Asked what made him proud to work for the University, he had no doubt; “We are global leaders in events, tourism and hospitality education and research. This is a result of our highly committed staff, students and industry partners.”

David has had a book published, ‘Employability Skills’, with colleague Stuart Moss, now on its second edition, which is aimed at all students on any further and higher education course and provides a tool for understanding employability skills gained through studying and guidance on how to develop these skills.

He commented: “Employers often report that the graduates they recruit from university do not have the skills that they require such as experience of working in groups and problem solving. Our University has an excellent reputation for these skills and so we have used our expertise to help others through the book: students, teachers and anyone looking to improve their career. This is the only book of its kind in the world.”

Keeping his professional connections current, David is Fellow of the following prestigious organisations: Institute of Travel & Tourism; Tourism Society; Higher Education Academy.

He is married to Sheila, who he met while in Carlisle; they live in Leeds and have a son, Toby (16), who is studying GCSE’s at Roundhay High School. David enjoys relaxing with the family and is looking forward to their holiday to Kerala, India, in April.