- Award-winning Sheffield company SleepCogni onboards Sheffield graduates and invests in staff development through Sheffield’s EMBA programme
SleepCogni founder, Richard Mills, is convinced of the mutual benefits of Sheffield SMEs working with the Sheffield University Management School. Graduates fill skills gaps, adapt to and drive forward their roles and help businesses grow on tight budgets.
BA Business Management alumnus, James Bird, is a prime example of the value that graduates add to organisations. During his time at SleepCogni, James won the Young Business Person of the Year Award at the Sheffield Business Awards 2015. Richard Mills commented, “he has been invaluable to the business and it’s a pleasure for me to mentor such a young talent.”
Based on this previous success, SleepCogni soon saw more University of Sheffield graduates join its workforce. In 2018, Joe Hawkins joined Richard’s team as a Data Engineering and Analytics Manager after being awarded the highest grade in his graduating year for his dissertation. Joe now works on data and research analysis, business development and strategy, accounting and forecasting, and investor relations.
After experiencing the potential of our graduates first hand, Richard Mills explains that the company is going a step further and taking advantage of the Executive Education programmes offered by the Management School to further develop staff with Joe Hawkins taking up a place on the Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA).
The Management School offers a number of Executive Education opportunities from short and Masters-level courses right through to a full-time MBA programme.
Richard Mills said, “we have a long relationship with the Sheffield University Management School and I have always been impressed with the level of their graduates. James Bird was a great member of the team directly from the Management School. I had no hesitation placing Joe Hawkins onto the EMBA program, knowing SleepCogni will benefit greatly from his further study and becoming an even greater asset to our business.”
Dr Mel Bull, Director of Executive and Professional Education, added, “I am delighted to celebrate the success of our graduates and flag the considerable benefits they bring to regional SMEs. It is always encouraging to hear SME senior leaders comment on how quickly graduates are able to adapt to their businesses and grow in their roles. Our flexible range of masters level programmes and custom-designed courses allow our learners to bring the latest, innovative business thinking to their roles.”