Internet Entrepreneur Goes Live Online at the OU

Dr Murdoch set up an internet bookshop Bookpages in 1996, becoming a multi-millionaire when he sold it to Amazon.com two years later. He was made managing director of Amazon.co.uk, launched the UK website, and subsequently became Amazons vice president in Europe.

Dr Murdoch left Amazon last year to co-found Episode-1 Partners, Britains largest dedicated internet start-up fund, backed by the Chase Manhattan Bank.

Open University Business School (OUBS) Dean Professor Roland Kaye said:

“Dr Murdoch is an inspiring example of how to succeed in todays economy where e-commerce and the internet are playing a greater role. As a leading provider of tutorials, networking and conferencing online, the Open University Business School realises the interest in these issues and is delighted that Dr Murdoch is able to make our keynote speech.”

The lecture will be opened by the Open Universitys Vice Chancellor Sir John Daniel and hosted by Professor Kaye. It will also be webcast allowing interested students, academics and business people to log on and watch the event worldwide.

A question and answer session involving a panel of experts and members of the audience will follow the lecture.

The panel members are Oonagh Harper, the chief executive of Enterprise Insight, the joint business venture established by the British Chambers of Commerce, CBI and Institute of Directors; Sean Hickey, managing director of the Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce Business Link; and David Asch, Professor of Management from the OUBS.

There will also be a chance for members of the audience to see and try out for themselves the Open University librarys new Information for Business (iforB) service. The fee-based service for corporate clients includes a rapid response to business related queries; in depth research on chosen subjects; consultancy in information management; and individual or group training in effective information retrieval and internet skills.

The lecture is at 3 pm on Tuesday November 21st.

To request an invitation please contact Jan Chambers in the OUBS on 01908- 858737 or e-mail J.E.Chambers@open.ac.uk.

Contact Details

OU Media Relations

Fiona Leslie

01908-653256

OUBS

Jessica Magill

01908-655042