The experience was designed to help students, many of whom are international and new to both the city and the UK, connect with Sheffield’s rich history and identity as they prepare to make the city their home.
During the visit, students explored how Sheffield evolved from a world-renowned centre for steel production, cutlery and tool making into a modern city recognised for its strengths in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, innovation and the service economy. Cutlers’ Hall, the Grade II* listed home of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, offered a unique insight into the city’s heritage and its remarkable journey of transformation.
Emmanuel Adewale Adebayo, MSc Forensic Accounting Student, said: “Visiting the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was such a wonderful and insightful experience, especially as one of my very first experiences of exploring Sheffield and the UK. Seeing the beautiful halls, the historic knives and cutlery, and meeting the current Master Cutler gave me a new appreciation for Sheffield’s history and traditions.”
As part of the event, students met Professor Keith Jackson, Master Cutler, and heard about his personal leadership journey and how Sheffield’s industrial heritage continues to shape a modern, innovative and internationally connected city. In his address, the Master Cutler shared defining moments from his career, the people who influenced his journey, and his advice for the next generation of global leaders.
Students were also given the opportunity to put their questions to the Master Cutler, exploring topics including: what future business leaders can learn from Sheffield’s industrial heritage; building professional networks and influence across cultures; ethical and responsible leadership in practice; and leading and succeeding in a rapidly changing digital world.
When asked what advice he had for Sheffield Hallam students, the Master Cutler, Professor Keith Jackson, said: “Careers are built on the habit of learning, so keep sharpening your capabilities long after the degree is done; the leaders who thrive are those who never consider their education finished. As you grow, resist the pull to hold authority tightly: nurture distributed leadership across your organisation, empowering leaders at every level, because organisations that trust and develop people throughout the structure are more resilient and more innovative. Above all, stay humble and curious, for leaders never have all the answers, and it is that openness to other people's insight, particularly across cultures, that turns learning into genuine collaboration.”
Dr Sam Giove, Director of Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Business School, who organised the visit, said: “Visits like this give our postgraduate students, many of whom are arriving in the UK for the first time, a meaningful way to connect with Sheffield’s history and identity. Cutlers’ Hall offers a unique window into the city’s heritage and its journey from a global centre for steel and cutlery to a modern hub for advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and the service economy. That story carries an important lesson for future leaders: to thrive, organisations and cities must continually adapt to changing economic, technological and societal demands.
“By hearing directly from city leaders such as the Master Cutler, students gain valuable insights into Sheffield’s challenges, opportunities and vision, helping them to broaden their perspectives, build professional networks and see themselves as part of the city’s ongoing success.”
