‘Braveheart’ managers of the future

Management academics have designed their own tartan which embodies the essential skills of managers of the future.

The tartan, designed by experts at the University of St Andrews, is the first of its kind and represents elements of communication, persuasion and courage.

The University’s School of Management came up with the idea when searching for something distinctive for students to represent their time at St Andrews.  As a result, they commissioned honorary research fellow Dr David Wishart to design a unique tartan which would combine the University Arms with heraldic elements representing what makes a good manager.

The tartan was launched at the Famous Grouse Experience by a group of international students representing the wide range of countries that are home to Management students at the University.

Professor Peter McKiernan, Head of the School of Management, said, “The School of Management at St Andrews is home to students from all over the world and we wanted something distinctive and unique to represent their time here.  We didn’t want something corporate that could be ordered from a catalogue and that every other Management School in the country could have.  So this year, we approached David and asked him to design something which symbolised Scotland, the University of St Andrews and the characteristics that we help to introduce into our leaders of the future.”

The blue, red, yellow, black and white tartan, based on the colours of the University Arms dating back to the middle ages, has been registered with the International Tartan Index of the Scottish Tartans Authority.   Utilising heraldic elements which denote learning and written communication (a book), oral persuasion (gold mascles) and courage (the red lion rampant), the tartan has been woven into scarves, which will be made available to staff, students and graduates of the School of Management.

Dr Wishart is no stranger to designing original plaid – having been frustrated at the non-existence of a family tartan, he simply designed his own.  Two years ago he designed a tartan for the people of Holland, after he noticed an enormous interest in all things Scottish while attending the Dutch Whisky Festival (David is author of whisky guide `Whisky Classified’).

He said, “The School of Management Tartan symbolises the core skills we seek to develop in our students as future leaders, namely communication, persuasion, and courage, all positioned within the Saltire of Saint Andrew, which represents the University’s historic location.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Both Dr Wishart and Professor McKiernan are available for interview:

Dr Wishart – 0131 337 1448 / 07808 763 191, email [email protected]
Professor Peter McKiernan  – 01334 462795, email [email protected]  

NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS:

Images of international students modelling the tartan at the Famous Grouse Experience (Glenturret Distillery) are available from Phil Hannah, contact: 01738 583 768 /  07720 888 347, [email protected]

Images of the School of Management Tartan being manufactured at Lochcarron are also available – contact the Press Office on 01334 462529 / 467227.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]
Ref:  Management tartan 291007
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk