About Andrew William Hibbitt
I am the Programme Leader for the Integrated Foundation Year in Business and Tourism, and I also serve as Programme Leader for Study Abroad and Exchange.
Before moving into academia, I built a 15-year career in the hospitality industry, working with major hotel chains including Marriott Hotels in the North East of England. During this time, I gained extensive operational experience across a range of departments, progressing from junior roles into management positions.
I hold a degree in Tourism Management and a masters degree in Hospitality Management. My academic interests focus on organisational culture and business operations within the tourism, hospitality, leisure, and fitness sectors, as well as the wider business context in which these industries operate.
Teaching and supervision
I am the Programme Leader for the Study Abroad and Exchange Scheme and lead several core modules on the Integrated Foundation Year in Business and Tourism. My teaching focuses on building strong foundations in business knowledge and developing students’ understanding of the tourism industry.
I am the module leader for:
- MGT1001 – Introduction to Business and Tourism Principles
- MGT1003 – Foundation Project
- MGT103 – Understanding Markets and Marketing
Through these modules, I support students in developing key academic and professional skills while exploring how businesses operate within tourism and the wider marketplace.
Interests
I’m passionate about exploring how businesses think, operate, and grow in competitive environments. My interests span business management, strategy, organisational culture, and marketing, with a particular focus on how these areas connect to shape effective decision-making and long-term success. I’m especially interested in how organisational culture influences leadership, employee engagement, and overall performance, as well as how marketing helps organisations understand their audiences and respond to changing consumer needs. Through this, I aim to better understand how businesses can position themselves strategically and achieve sustainable growth in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Research
My academic interests lie in business management, strategy, organisational culture, and marketing, with a particular focus on how these interrelated areas shape organisational decision-making, operational practices, and long-term strategic direction. I am especially interested in the role of organisational culture in influencing leadership approaches, fostering employee engagement, and driving overall business performance. In addition, I explore how marketing contributes to a deeper understanding of markets and consumer behaviour, and how it supports sustainable organisational growth within an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
Areas of expertise
With over 15 years of industry experience, including time with Marriott Hotels, I have developed a strong foundation in tourism, hospitality, and business operations. This professional background informs my academic approach, enabling me to integrate real-world insights into my teaching and provide practical context drawn from hotel and tourism environments. My experience includes designing and delivering high-quality guest experiences, leading teams to achieve service excellence, and managing daily operations with efficiency and strategic awareness. I bring together a customer-focused mindset with operational expertise to support both exceptional guest satisfaction and sustained business performance.
Further information
With 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry alongside 12 years in higher education, I bring a distinctive blend of professional practice and academic expertise to my teaching. This combined experience enables me to contextualise theory through real-world application, effectively bridging the gap between industry practice and academic learning. Drawing on hands-on insights from hotel and tourism operations, alongside a strong grounding in pedagogical approaches, I design engaging, relevant, and practice-informed learning experiences that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for professional success.