Businesses learn key communication message from Rolls-Royce

ptp-team-at-rolls-royce.jpg

‘Communication is key’ was the message delivered to business leaders on a visit to one of the country’s leading engineering firms.

Manufacturing and engineering representatives had the chance to learn about business communication and culture from Rolls-Royce.

Members of the latest Productivity Through People (PtP) cohort at Lancaster University Management School visited the company’s factory in Barnoldswick as part of their 12-month programme.

The SME representatives toured the Bankfield facility to tie in with the ‘Culture, Employee Engagement and Communication’ element of the course, seeing how Rolls-Royce have tackled issues in that area.

PtP aims to help SMEs empower and engage front-line staff, leading to a better usage of skills, and transforming management practices and leadership and building a more productive future.

The programme features visits to three internationally renowned industrial partners – BAE Systems, Siemens and Rolls-Royce – allowing them to see how all three have transformed their workplace by putting employee engagement at the centre of their improvement processes.

The day included a talk by the manufacturing executive and wider team about communication and culture within Rolls-Royce, explaining how they use a number of communication platforms and channels, engagement activities through a network of magic makers, use of values and behaviours to drive culture change to ensure they are pioneering the power that matter to engage their staff and create a strong culture.

Steve Kitson, manufacturing executive, from Rolls-Royce said: "We are delighted to share our culture journey with the delegates, in particular when we do the site tour it gives the opportunity to do a go-look-see which brings to life our approach.  We enjoy the visit every year and always receive great feedback from the groups who come along."

The visit followed an in-depth workshop with LUMS MBA course director Dr Robyn Remke about issues around communications with staff and employee culture.

Dr Remke, who also attended the plant visit, said: ‘’After spending a day with the PtP cohort learning how to create and use communication strategically within the workplace, it was absolutely thrilling to see how Rolls-Royce used their media and organisational culture to encourage their employees to change their behaviour to create a more safety conscious environment.

“Rolls-Royce provided first-hand knowledge of not only the importance of effective and impactful communication, but demonstrated communication best practice for the PtP cohort. It was great to see theory put into practice.”

The next Productivity Through People programme starts in October, and is open to manufacturing and engineering companies based in the North West. For more information, email [email protected], call 01524 593583 or visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/ptp

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancaster University Management School

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin