Learning in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

Learning in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

Dedicated to the memory of David E Gray.


Picture of Maura Sheehan - UFHRD Conference 2022Professor Maura Sheehan

Maura Sheehan is Professor of International Management at Edinburgh Napier University. She is an Editor in Chief of the Journal of Organisational Effectiveness: People and Performance (JOEPP) and an Associate Editor of the International Review of Applied Economics Her main areas of research are: HPWPs and organisational performance; training and development and organisational performance; innovation. An example of a recent publication is: Sheehan, M. & Garavan, T.N. (2021) ‘High-Performance Work Practices and Labour Productivity: A Six Wave Longitudinal

Study of UK Manufacturing and Service SMEs’, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2021.2005658.


Picture of Vincent Traynor - UFHRD Conference 2022Vincent Traynor

As a leadership development specialist, I steer, design and deliver major SHU, regional and national leadership programmes for productivity, resilience and economic growth.

I currently have two main roles. As Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University I have responsibility for the development of our Leadership Development Portfolio. I am also the Training Lead for the UK Government’s Help to Grow Management course which is tasked with up-skilling 30,000 SME leaders in 3 years.

My work integrates the following areas of practice:

  1. Educational Programme Design – I design and deliver high–quality executive education and postgraduate programmes that enhance work-based learning, leadership practice and organisational outcomes. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
  2. Executive Coach, Team Coach and Organisation Consultant – I am one of the most qualified, accredited and experienced coach / consultants in the UK. I am a graduate of the Tavistock Institute and accredited as a Global Master Practitioner Executive Coach with the EMCC professional coaching body. My principle orientations are Gestalt and system psycho-dynamics.
  3. Supervisor of Professional Practice – I help other practitioners to improve the quality of their work and their professional development. I hold accreditation as a Global Coach Supervisor (ESIA) with the EMCC.

Over a 25 year career I have worked with a wide range of SMEs and clients, including: health, private sector, local government, sport, faith–based and education.

You can follow me @VincentTraynor