Professor Russell Gurbutt

I am a creative and inspiring teacher drawing on decades of experience and continue to seek to inspire others. Formerly I was a Royal Navy Artificer (1977) and having gained a 'Best all-round Apprentice' Award was promoted to BRNC Dartmouth where I subsequently became the Senior Sub Lieutenant (General list Executive Branch). I was awarded a ceremonial sword following graduation from BRNC Dartmouth and saw service with the Hong Kong Squadron, the Armilla Patrol (Arabian Gulf), Far East (China Sea) and African deployments.

During 1982 I served on a Frigate in the Falkland War as a watch-keeping officer and navigator. I was awarded the South Atlantic Medal with rosette. The experience of the RN provided leadership and management development across a range of scenarios and chose to leave the service to pursue vocational work that made an impact as a Christian. This included business in the USA (retail and IT sector), pastoral education (UK) and subsequent entry into the NHS (mental health) and registration as a General Nurse (1988- Distinction). Following a series of staffing posts and promotion to Ward manager, I managed a series of clinical services (Acute Medicine, Stroke care, Elderly medicine, day surgery, outpatient services) including commissioning activity in a new hospital. That rich period of professional practice subsequently provided the background for texts about management and nursing practice.

Higher Education work (since 1997) included course leadership of large professional registration and postgraduate programmes, PhD studies (Clinical decision making) and post-doctoral work in Canada (2006 /2013). I held a teaching fellowship (Leeds University), and online education management (Open University) as well as operating a healthcare consultancy (Scottish Charities). I was a national quality manager with a leading healthcare charity and acted as a management consultant.

I have extensive experience in developing blended and online education and continue to be involved in developing management, leadership and e-learning delivery for the health and social care sector, including doctoral research. Currently, I am a Professor at the University of Bolton and continue to promote excellence in education to make a positive difference through and with the people I work with.