Andrew Homer – författare

The Black Country can be something of an enigma. Where exactly is it and how did it acquire such a name? The answers to these questions and many more besides can be found within the pages of this book.Andrew Homer takes readers on an A to Z journey discovering some of the significant events, influential people and fascinating places that define the area known as the Black Country. From its geological origins under a shallow tropical sea through to more recent history such as the Gunpowder Plot and beyond, stories abound; stories of the men and women who helped to forge the Industrial Revolution, of remarkable inventions and of world firsts that occurred right here. Who would have thought that landscape gardening originated in such an industrialised area or that this landlocked region had such important connections with the sea?Fully illustrated with both historic and contemporary pictures, most of which are in colour, A–Z of the Black Country will appeal to both visitors to our area and those who regard themselves as ‘Black Country born and bred’.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest major cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Birmingham’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Birmingham has long been an important centre in the West Midlands but during the Industrial Revolution it grew to become England’s second city. The myriad of manufacturing businesses in Birmingham created a dynamic local economy and the city prospered. Although the town was heavily bombed in the Second World War and its infrastructure was badly damaged, the city was redeveloped post-war, with many areas being rebuilt from scratch. Birmingham continued to be regenerated in subsequent decades and today it is a powerful commercial city of international importance.

Beer and Spirits offers a fascinating insight into the stories behind some of Central England's most haunted pubs. With over 50,000 public houses in the United Kingdom, the local pub has become an essential part of British culture. Samuel Pepys described the inn as the heart of England. Pubs have been an integral part of British culture since Roman times. The lives and dramas, intrigues and mysteries of the people who visited them form the rich tapestry of any local pub. As a result there are often many stories and histories that are inherently part of the place, and naturally ghost stories and haunted reputations form a dynamic feature of many local pubs. From spectral monks and phantom coaches, to ghostly highwaymen and supernatural hounds, the authors examine some well known and not so well known aspects of Black Country pub history and folklore. While the stories and accounts in this book are not meant to offer any proof or conclusive evidence of ghosts, they do offer a fresh look at new and more traditional accounts of haunted pubs in the Black Country and the surrounding area.

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Business economics - Operations Research, grade: 64, University of Portsmouth, course: MSc Project Management, language: English, abstract: This paper explores the challenges and considerations surrounding the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) within organizations. The research delves into the evolving landscape shaped by technological advancements, global competition, and a volatile business environment. In response to these dynamic forces, organizations have increasingly recognized the importance of robust risk management practices, specifically ERM, to navigate uncertainties and create value. While the benefits of ERM are acknowledged by many, the paper highlights a notable discrepancy between organizations actively adopting and effectively implementing ERM and those facing challenges or outright failures in its execution. The case of Countrywide Mortgage serves as a cautionary example, demonstrating that even entities previously lauded for effective ERM can face dire consequences, such as near-bankruptcy. The paper suggests that the transition from Traditional Risk Management (TRM) to ERM is not a guaranteed formula for success. Some organizations experience significant increases in value with TRM, and the substantial financial investment required for a cultural shift towards ERM may not necessarily translate into strategic risk management. It emphasizes the pivotal role of organizational culture and the characteristics of individuals involved in ERM implementation as influential factors in determining success or failure. The structure of the paper is outlined, including an executive summary, literature review, findings and conclusions, recommendations, and a reference section. The introduction provides a glimpse into the shifting landscape of risk management, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the intricacies surrounding ERM implementation. The subsequent sections delve into a literature review, highlighting key concepts such as strategic risk, agency theory, and organizational culture in relation to ERM. The paper concludes with findings, recommendations, and implementation strategies. Overall, the research aims to contribute valuable insights into the complexities of ERM implementation, offering recommendations for organizations to navigate challenges effectively and enhance their risk management practices in an ever-evolving business environment.

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Health - Miscellaneous, grade: 80, King`s College London, language: English, abstract: The aim of this essay is to critically analyse the impact of smoke-free legislation and smoking cessation, as part of a wider anti-smoking strategy, on individuals admitted in an inpatient psychiatric setting. This will involve discussing the economic, ethical, legal and social influences that helped shape this policy as well as the physical and psychological impact on Patients. It will seek to explain how the views of patients and staff affect the implementation of this policy while discussing the effectiveness of interventions used under the policy. Some gaps in the legislation and policy will be discussed with recommendations as to how to address these and have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of patients in psychiatric settings.

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Nursing Science - Nursing Management, grade: 70, King`s College London, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this essay is to identify the elements of 'good nursing practice' and to discuss how this contributes to 'quality care'. It will begin by talking about the main interpersonal skills and qualities expected of a nurse and then discuss some of the governing bodies of nursing practice. It will look at the nursing Process, the necessity for it and the Roper-Logan-Tierney model as a framework for nursing. The Department of Health (DOH) benchmarks for nursing and institutions set up in order to assess quality will also be briefly discussed.

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 74, , language: English, abstract: This paper aims to find out why there is a high turnover rate amongst private mental health nurses in the healthcare industry by looking at influences of leadership style, particularly transformational leadership on job satisfaction, motivation and commitment to the organisation. It will initially look at the current scenario on a ward (Ward A) in a private mental health hospital (Company A) and then look at literature supporting possible ways of addressing problems in company A. Mental health nurses are said to face significantly different sets of challenges, mainly due to being subjected to violence, and aggression regularly by patients. Current leadership practices and organisational structures may not be supporting nurses enough in some settings, which could be contributing to facilitate unhealthy work environments and high nursing turnover. Spending has been said to have significantly risen, approximately 327 million to 485 million in from 2012 to 2014 respectively, on recruiting temporary nurses due to nursing shortages. Budget cuts, low remuneration and low staff morale are said to have contributed to an over-reliance on temporary nurses which is said to be having a negative effect on continuity of care for patients and poor outcomes of quality. Leaders with good interpersonal skills, actively carrying out staff supervision and adopting a transformational style of leadership may be the key towards increasing job satisfaction, motivation and reducing staff turnover amongst nurses. Nurse leaders need to understand their nurses in order to understand why so many are leaving.