Portsmouth Business School

Profile

Mr Robin Shepherd - BA, Cert Ed., MBAHA

As a teacher of management accounting and business analysis in the service sector, I have always been acutely aware of the need to engage non accounting, vocationally focussed students in ways that are non-threatening so that their fear of figures is quickly removed by revealing their very practical use. I am fortunate in my industrial background in this respect and am able to locate sometimes difficult concepts in the real world and so deliver easier, more accessible learning opportunities. Thus the first part of my working life in luxury hotel management and as a self employed restaurateur, along with the work that I continue to do with national and international Hospitality companies, is well employed in bringing the real world to the lecture theatre.

As well as Management Accounting and Business Decision Making, my other specialist area of teaching and learning is Licensed Retail Management. An often neglected but hugely important part of the service sector in terms of its economic and cultural contribution to English life, the Licensed Trade offers unique opportunities for creative business development learning.

My research interests lie in two distinct, equally interesting areas. The first is in developing deeper understanding of the individualisation of the service encounter from the employee as well as the consumer perspective. The second is in the development of local food movements, food tourism, local food producers, their supply chain and sustainability.

Recent publications:

• Shepherd, R. Bray, J.P., Harris C. (2005). An analysis of the potential for a Foundation Degree in Retail Management and Leadership in the Bournemouth and Poole, South Dorset area, Skillsmart uk .
• Shepherd, R., Simcox, J. (2005). Early evening economy analysis and development strategies, Bournemouth Town centre management.
• Shepherd, R., Braham, B., (2007). Retail Strategy for TCAP (South Salisbury Plain), Kennett District Council .
• Shepherd, R., Braham, B., (2007). Retail needs analysis – Wimborne, Dorset, Wimborne Chamber of Trade .
• Shepherd, R., (2007). Identification of HE requirements for National Level 3 Diploma in the Retail & associated sub-sectors, Skillsmart UK.
• Shepherd, R., Beer, S., (2010). The changing nature of markets: formats encouraging trade and visitation, the case of farmers’ markets. In C. McIntrye (Ed.), Tourism and the retail experience: events, magnets and flow (part 2, ch. 5). Bristol: Channel View Publications