A UNIVERSITY professor from Prestwick has been appointed the head of a leading world-wide busincess school at the University of Glasgow.

Professor Eleanor Shaw was named as the new head of the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School after joining from Strathclyde University, where she is currently an associate principal.

She was awarded an OBE in the New Year honours list in December 2021, in recognition of her services to entrepreneurship and education.

Professor Shaw is a senior leader within the Higher Education sector and is passionate about using her knowledge, expertise, and networks to unlock entrepreneurial potential across Scotland’s economy.

An entrepreneurial leader with more than 25 years’ of experience working with entrepreneurs, her entrepreneurship research has informed the design and delivery of entrepreneurial education, influenced entrepreneurial policy, and guided the development of successful growth interventions which have supported the scale up of numerous Scottish ventures.

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She holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Glasgow.

She currently sits on the executive team of the University of Strathclyde and on the boards of the Beatson Cancer Charity, Enable Scotland, the Chartered Association of Business Schools and the Small Business Charter.

She also sits on the people, talent and leadership committee of the ScaleUp Institute and the STER Academic Advisory Group.

Her research on entrepreneurial growth, ecosystems and diversity has attracted funding of more than £300M from research councils, private sector, enterprise agencies, and international partners.

The former Heathfield Primary and Prestwick Academy pupil said: "I am delighted to be joining the Adam Smith Business School. It would be exciting at any time and is particularly so during this year of Tercentenary celebrations in honour of Adam Smith’s life, work and influence.

"As a double graduate of the University of Glasgow I am looking forward to coming ‘home’, to connecting with familiar people, and getting to know new colleagues, and to building on the great work achieved by the School under the leadership of Professor John Finch.

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“To be part of a world changing university committed to ambition and excellence, curiosity and discovery, integrity and truth, and to creating an inclusive community within which world changing ideas, innovations and learning can thrive, is exciting.

“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the school, college of social sciences, and the university more broadly and to the collective contributions we can make to a better future through excellence in scholarship, research, and engagement with local, national, and international communities.”

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “I am delighted to welcome Professor Eleanor Shaw to the university.

"I know she will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role, particularly in fostering entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for our students and colleagues to work together with industry.

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“Professor Shaw joins the university at a very exciting time for the school as we continue with our Adam Smith Tercentenary programme and as the school continues to improve its standing in the world rankings.

"We will also shortly look forward to the completion of our new Adam Smith Business School and PGT Hub, currently under construction as part of our significant campus development.

“I wish Professor Shaw well as she takes up her position at the University and look forward to working with her in the months ahead.”

Professor Sara Carter, vice-principal and head of the university's college of social sciences, said: “I am delighted to welcome Professor Eleanor Shaw OBE as the new Head of School.

"The Adam Smith Business School is an internationally renowned, triple-accredited business school prized for its world-class research and teaching programmes that attract students and staff from across the world.

"Eleanor is a highly experienced business school leader, and her expertise in entrepreneurship will support the university’s world changing innovation agenda.”