University Engagement with Professional Clients in the Provision of Executive Development

The paper is presented as a think-piece. It is designed to stimulate discussion and consideration of the pressures and tensions experienced by universities entering the market for the provision of programmes to external public sector clients. The paper draws on the experiences of universities in England and Germany in providing executive development programmes to a range of public sector clients. It looks at the questions raised for academics and universities exploring this market and the benefits for research and impact that could be achieved.