Top award for business graduate

Krista Whelan received the award for her dissertation at the Black Country Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Awards.

Krista, who is an Organisational Development Business Partner at Trident Housing, received an engraved crystal vase, certificate and a cash prize.

Mature student Krista completed her studies at the University last year, achieving a CIPD-accredited Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Human Resource Development from the .

Krista said: “I am delighted and honoured to have won the award, and couldn't believe it.

“The MSc course in Human Resource Development and Organisational Change offered a rare opportunity to achieve a Masters degree and a professional qualification at the same time.

“The real difference to other academic courses was the focus on the ‘real world’ - learning on the course was driven by lecturers that had practical experience across a variety of sectors and could translate academic theories into professional practice.

“Since completing my Masters, there have been lots of options open to me, it has been the singular most important investment in my career.”

Janet Firth, Principal Lecturer and Head of Human Resource & Leadership, said Krista’s dissertation for her Master’s degree, which focused on the impact of change at Trident Housing due to new Government policy, was ‘outstanding’.

As Organisational Development Business Partner for Trident Housing, Krista is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient provision and management of a Leadership & Development and Human Resource service to the organisation; providing support and advice on such issues as employee relations, employment law, policy development and performance management.

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.