Dr Philip Berners

Biography

Dr Philip Berners specialises in events management as Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor at the Edge Hotel School, University of Essex. He is Director of Postgraduate Taught MSc programs in International Hospitality Management, International Tourism Management, and International Events Management. He has secured significant research funding and is Principal Investigator for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership: "Aspiring to diminish labour shortages in hospitality, events, and tourism" (https://www.essex.ac.uk/research-projects/aspiring-to-diminish-labour-shortages). Philip joined the Edge Hotel School in January 2017 from his previous appointment as lecturer and module leader of event and hospitality modules at the University of West London. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Philip has authored five textbooks including a 2nd edition; co-authored a further book; and is series editor for "The Practical Guide to Events and Hotel Management Series": https://www.routledge.com/The-Practical-Guide-to-Events-and-Hotel-Management-Series/book-series/PGE Philip's PhD ("An Events Industry Takes Shape: A Study of the UK and Poland") is in the field of Sociology and researches the causes of gaps in events industries that are at different stages of development. His research themes include event tourism, attitude to risk, and qualifications versus experience. An event manager himself, Philip has held posts as the head of events at landmark venues including Thorpe Park, the London Hippodrome, and Camden Palace. He has worked on London Fashion Week, the MOBO Awards, and the royal premiere for the launch of the acclaimed film 'Notting Hill'. He was a senior manager at the BRIT Awards for three years. His client portfolio includes a garden party in Windsor Great Park hosted by Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II; concerts and film premieres for The Prince's Trust on behalf of the former Prince of Wales now King Charles III, a global album launch for Bon Jovi, the European press launch for Jennifer Lopez, and the post-Wembley party for Shania Twain. Philip relocated to Poland for 10 years where he was an event consultant and director of his own school of event management before returning to the UK to embark on his career in academia. Philip is a founding trustee of the Colchester Museums Development Foundation (CMDF). In his current role, Philip has secured exclusive partnerships for student projects and work experience at The BRIT Awards (8 years); Six Nations Rugby at Twickenham Stadium; cricket tournaments at The Oval; Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour; and concerts at the o2 Arena.

Qualifications

• PhD University of Essex, (2023)

• PG Cert Ed University of West London,

• BA Hospitality Management University of West London,