Industry legend appointed teaching fellow

Victor Giannandrea, former sales director at Silentnight Beds and sales and marketing director at Millbrook Beds, has been appointed an Honorary Teaching Fellow – an Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) – at Lancaster University Management School.

Since retiring from Millbrook Beds in 2011, Victor has still been hard at work mentoring local businesses, with a huge degree of success in turning around businesses at high risk, helping them to change direction, cultivate new customers and increase trade with existing customers.

Victor said: “It is a true honour to receive this appointment at such a fantastic, progressive university.  Today’s job market is very different to the one I knew growing up. Competition for jobs is rife and those who demonstrate an understanding of business outside of the university walls are certainly at a strong advantage.”

Before becoming an EiR, Victor has long been a supporter of the Lancaster University Management School; attending events as speaker and grilling students on their ideas as part of a Dragon’s Den style panel.

Brian Gregory, Director of the Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme within Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) said: “Victor is a great asset to our programme and his experience in business really does give students a true insight into the world of work.

“Entrepreneurs in Residence are the stars of the local community and are valued, important members of our LUMS community.

“They bring expertise from the front line of business, interesting and varied viewpoints and a real-world experience that benefits our students, teaching and research. In return, EiRs get access to LUMS’ cutting-edge knowledge, both from our students and research, and the opportunity to strengthen their peer networks.”

Victor is well acquainted with the Furniture Makers, having been the main organiser and driving force behind the success of our Northern Big Shots event for many years.