Professor Eleanor Shaw, Associate Principal for Entrepreneurship and Education at the University of Strathclyde, has been appointed as the new Head of the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business starting on 7 August.
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. She was awarded an OBE in 2022 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. She holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Glasgow.
As Associate Principal, she currently sits on the Executive Team 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 & Leadership Committee of the ScaleUp Institute, the STER Academic Advisory Group and is a member of The Gender Index Strategic Advisory Board.
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.
Fantastic colleagues
Professor Eleanor Shaw said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Strathclyde – across the 21 years during which I have worked at Strathclyde I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic colleagues and I have made lifelong friends.
“I have worked in the Department of Marketing, the Hunter Centre and most recently, as Associate Principal. I have served on the University’s Executive Team and had the privilege of working on cross-Faculty strategies and initiatives including Strathclyde Inspire and Strathclyde Doctoral School.
“I have been offered many opportunities while working at Strathclyde and I have learnt so much about engagement (internal and external), entrepreneurship and innovation and the importance of being an authentic colleague and leader. While I am sad to be leaving Strathclyde, I am looking forward to joining the Adam Smith Business School and continuing to contribute to creating equal access to learning and entrepreneurial opportunities for everyone with the talent, passion, and drive to succeed and contribute to a more inclusive society that values the power and potential of learning and research to help transform the world around us.
“I am happy to be joining the Adam Smith Business School 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 returning to Glasgow, to connecting with familiar people, getting to know new colleagues, and to building on the great work achieved by the School under the leadership of Professor John Finch.
“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues at Glasgow and to continuing to work with partners at Strathclyde 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 and a shared commitment to creating authentically inclusive communities.”
Outstanding academic
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde, said: “Professor Eleanor Shaw is an outstanding academic whose leadership skills, drive and enthusiasm are exemplary. I would like to thank her for her huge and varied contribution to Strathclyde and the wider Higher Education Sector over nearly a quarter of a century and I wish her well in her new role.”
Professor David Hillier, Associate Principal and Executive Dean of Strathclyde Business School, said: “Professor Eleanor Shaw's appointment is a testament to her leadership and outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship and education over the past twenty-one years at the University of Strathclyde.
“With her wealth of experience, dedication to fostering entrepreneurial potential, and impressive research portfolio, there's no doubt she will continue to excel in her new role as the Head of the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School. Eleanor leaves with the best wishes of all in Strathclyde Business School.”
Professor Jillian MacBryde, Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: “Eleanor has been an important part of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and instrumental in building Strathclyde Inspire. She will be missed by colleagues but we wish her well in her new role.”