University of Salford Students’ Union – Brewery & Bakery Opportunity Risk Assessment.

Brief:

The University of Salford was planning to redevelop the old Fire station/Police station at Albert Bentley Place to create a microbrewery, bakery and café on the site. Although the University would fund the extensive refurbishment programme and would continue to own the assets, they asked the Students’ Union to operate and manage all of the spaces.

Since this would be a new venture for USSU, Ed Maloney the Chief Executive requested an external objective assessment of the prospect for the Students’ Union. USSU was keen to come away from this exercise with a real and honest reflection of the potential for this venture, and a report for the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team including the following objectives and content:

• Responses to rigorous questions of the key stakeholders involved
• Provide an opportunities and risks analysis and assessment
• Advice on how to manage and mitigate the risks to USSU’s finance and reputation
• To have recommendations on whether USSU should proceed or not

This project was completed in partnership with Jan Sowa from Greenhouse.

Results:

“Jan and Nina’s approach was professional and outstanding from the outset. They were prompt, professional and diligent in everything they did, which was essential to our Board’s confidence in them, and all stakeholders’ confidence in them too. They were not afraid to ask difficult questions, and put in the leg work to come to a solid conclusion with clear recommendations. Ultimately they recommended that we did not proceed with our endeavour, which is not an easy decision to come to, but it was one that was ultimately accepted by both SLT and the Board. They may well have saved us years of difficulty and struggle.”

Ed Moloney, CEO.