Oxford News
Saïd Business School appoints first Poet Laureate
Dr Athol Williams & Professor Mette Morsing, Saïd Business School
Dr Williams, a Senior Fellow of Management Practice in Strategy at Saïd Business School and an established South African poet, will use the honorary position to integrate poetry more deeply into teaching and learning at the School. While Poet Laureates traditionally compose and advocate for poetry linked to an institution, Dr Williams intends to extend the role to support leadership development, arguing that poetry offers a distinctive way of thinking about ambiguity and human connection.
Dr Athol Williams said: ‘Compassion, judgement, connection, are going to become more critical for leaders. At Oxford Saïd we are developing leaders that the world needs, so we need to be developing leaders with these [very human] capabilities. And I think poetry has a vital role to play in that. Great leaders are ones who can relate to other people in meaningful ways. Poetry is a powerful resource that leaders can draw on.’
Compassion, judgement, connection, are going to become more critical for leaders. At Oxford Saïd we are developing leaders that the world needs, so we need to be developing leaders with these [very human] capabilities. And I think poetry has a vital role to play in that. Great leaders are ones who can relate to other people in meaningful ways. Poetry is a powerful resource that leaders can draw on.
Dr Athol Williams
Professor Mette Morsing, Interim Dean, Saïd Business School, said: ‘Poetry in a business school provides a so far under-appreciated, yet rich, vehicle to sharpen perception, strengthen critical thinking and deepen empathy…. Often treated as mere workplace entertainment, [poetry is] undervalued as a catalyst for organisational transformation and innovation. Athol’s own poetry writings and readings are already legendary and full of impact. We are honoured that [Athol] should undertake this role at Oxford Saïd Business School.’
Research has explored links between poetry and leadership, particularly in relation to critical thinking and the capacity to engage with uncertainty. The interpretive nature of poetry – its use of metaphor, ambiguity and layered meaning – can mirror the complexity of real-world decision-making.
Poetry in a business school provides a so far under-appreciated, yet rich, vehicle to sharpen perception, strengthen critical thinking and deepen empathy.
Professor Mette Morsing
Dr Williams added: ‘We often talk about business, about the complexity of the world, ambiguity in the world. And we want our students to embrace that. But what does embracing mean? Reading poetry is an exercise in untangling complexity. A Tennyson poem doesn’t always jump out at you immediately. You’ve got to think about it. And then, as you think, as you piece it apart, as you apply your mind to it, the power of the poem emerges. For me, that’s an exercise with complexity, in dealing with ambiguity, which we don’t have ways of teaching in other ways. I’m seeing poetry, not only for its beauty and inspiration, but also as a contributor to education.’
Dr Williams has published seven poetry collections and more than one hundred poems in literary journals. Since joining the School in 2023, he has incorporated poetry into lectures and events, including an MBA guest lecture on ‘Poetry and Leadership’, and readings at School events and ceremonies.
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Amazon has launched a new World Cup dine-in deal that could save football fans up to £7.40 on their match-day food and drinks.
The online retail giant might be best known for bigger purchases but it also does groceries too, and it is offering shoppers the chance to pick up two Franco Manca pizzas and a four-pack of drinks for £11 through Amazon Fresh throughout June.
The limited-time promotion runs here until June 30 and is available with same-day and next-day delivery, making it a handy option for last-minute World Cup watch parties.
What’s Included In Amazon’s £11 World Cup Deal?
Customers can mix and match from a selection of popular Franco Manca pizzas, including:
- Salami, ‘Nduja & Hot Honey Pizza
- Greek Inspired Chicken Gyros Pizza
- Quattro Formaggi & Balsamic Glaze Pizza
- Meatball Ragu Pizza
The bundle also includes a choice of selected four-packs of drinks.
Options include:
- Coca-Cola Original Taste
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
- Birra Moretti
- Birra Moretti Zero Alcohol-Free
According to Amazon, customers can save up to £7.40 compared with buying the items separately.
The deal is available through Amazon Fresh and can be delivered directly to customers’ doors, helping fans stock up before kick-off without leaving home.
Where is Amazon Fresh available?
Amazon Fresh is available across a growing number of towns and cities throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and other major locations.
Shoppers can check whether the service is available in their area by entering their postcode through the Amazon Fresh storefront. The service offers everything from fresh groceries and chilled food to cupboard essentials and household products.
Customers can then choose from same-day or next-day delivery slots seven days a week, subject to availability.
Some shoppers can get their order in just 30 minutes
For customers in selected London postcodes, Amazon now offers ultra-fast grocery delivery through Amazon Now, with orders arriving in as little as 30 minutes.
The retailer has also confirmed plans to expand the rapid delivery service to Birmingham and Manchester later this year, giving even more football fans access to last-minute match-night essentials.
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World Cup watch parties
With millions expected to tune into this summer’s biggest football matches, retailers are racing to tempt shoppers with food and drink deals.
Amazon says the promotion is designed to help customers get match-ready, whether they’re hosting a watch party, planning a family night in or simply looking for an easy dinner before the game.
Alongside the pizza bundle, shoppers can also browse Amazon Fresh’s range of snacks, party food and international dishes inspired by teams competing in the tournament.
The £11 World Cup dine-in deal is available now until June 30, while stocks last.
Will you try out this deal? Let us know in the comments.
It comes as the US and Iran sign a deal to end the war and lay the foundations for the crucial Strait of Hormuz crude oil shipping lane to be reopened after months of blockages.
According to analysis by the RAC, the average price of petrol has fallen by nearly 5p since its conflict high of 159.53p on May 28, to 154.72p on Thursday.
Tesco in Cowley remains the lowest price for petrol in the city at 151.9p, according to the online tracker Petrol Prices, with the BP garage in Marston at 155.9p.
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Head of policy Simon Williams said: “The diesel drop has been even more dramatic having come down by 17p a litre from 191.54p on 15 April to 174.3p which means drivers are saving £9.50 every time they fill up. The last time the UK average price of diesel was under 175p was on 24 March.
“Even more positively, the rate of reduction ought to accelerate as the price of a barrel of oil has been under $80 for the last two days – something we haven’t seen since the start of March. Drivers can now expect to see the average pump price of petrol drop below 150p in the next week or so, while diesel should drop back under 170p.”
Whately played Robbie Lewis in the Oxford-based crime drama Inspector Morse, alongside John Thaw, between 1987 and 2000.
He reprised the role of Robbie Lewis in the ITV drama Lewis, alongside Laurence Fox, and the series ran from 2006 to 2015.
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John Thaw, who will forever be remembered for his portrayal of Colin Dexter’s creation Endeavour Morse, died from throat cancer in 2002, and Whately, who was awarded the OBE last year, said he still missed him “terribly”.
“He was like a brother to me,” he added.
Whately, who lives in Buckinghamshire, is appearing in The Importance of Being Earnest at Garsington Opera from July 10. He said he had realised something was wrong in the run-up to John Thaw’s death.
He told the Telegraph: “While we were shooting the last film (a special, broadcast in 2000) he kept saying, ‘I don’t feel good, I don’t feel right.’
“And then we both did a charity event on the South Bank, in which he had to sing, and he was struggling with his voice. That was the beginning of it.
“He was diagnosed right after that. He went sort of underground a bit to lick his wounds, and didn’t come out much, but I saw him a couple of times before he died.”
Over the years, Whately shared a trailer with Thaw, and spent many hours with him on set.
He recalled: “Those glowering eyebrows could be very intimidating.
“But once you got to know him, which could take a couple of years, you realised what a wonderful raconteur he could be.”
From 2006 to 2015, Whately starred in the Inspector Morse sequel, Lewis, alongside Laurence Fox, and they were in touch recently.
“I spoke to him on the phone last year when he was getting married. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years though. I’m not a fan of his politics.”
The actors discussed politics from time to time.
Whately added: “We did, and because he knew that I was a bit of a Lefty I thought he just said things to wind me up. I loved Laurence.
“He was good fun to work with and he was a very, very good actor. But his life took over. It’s a great shame for the acting industry.”
For many years, Kevin Whately was a familiar face during filming on Oxford streets and would stop and chat to fans and passers-by.
The actor first made his name playing Neville in the 1980s comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
When he was awarded the OBE in January last year, Christopher Sullivan, who runs a website dedicated to the Morse, Lewis and Endeavour TV series, said: “It’s wonderful to know that Kevin is not just being recognised for his charity work with organisations such as Action for Children and The Alzheimers Society, but also for the joy he has brought to many people through his varied acting roles.
“In particular, his role as Robbie Lewis in the Morse and Lewis series. Those series were watched by millions and Kevin, and his portrayal of Lewis, is loved by millions. This is a well-deserved honour.”
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