The University of Strathclyde has appointed Professor Eleanor Shaw OBE as a member of its Executive Team in the role of Associate Principal, External Engagement and Partnerships.
The new position will play a critical role in developing and implementing the University’s strategy, Strathclyde 2030, and in delivering its key strategic priorities in relation to External Engagement and Partnerships with entrepreneurs, SMEs, policy communities, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Professor Shaw will also serve as the Charles Huang Professor of International Entrepreneurship which will see her play a key role in Strathclyde’s entrepreneurial activities including the University’s entrepreneurship strategy, the Charles Huang Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (CHATIC), Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID) and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Strong connections
Professor Shaw is currently Head of the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School. Appointed in 2023, she was the first female to hold the post having previously worked at Strathclyde for 21 years.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde, said: “I am delighted to welcome Eleanor back to Strathclyde. Many within the University community will know her well from her previous roles here, where she demonstrated her expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship, combined with a focus on collaborative working.
Eleanor has an exceptional track record for building strong connections and delivering change with impact and will, once again, be a huge asset to the University.
“The new Associate Principal role will provide additional Executive Academic Leadership to enhance Strathclyde’s reputation as a socially progressive, leading international technological University that engages in impactful, sustainable relationships with business, public sector and the third sector.
“This new appointment is fantastic news for the whole of the Strathclyde community and I know you will join me in welcoming Eleanor when she takes up the position in April this year.”
Entrepreneurial University
Professor Shaw said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Strathclyde in this exciting new role. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to Strathclyde’s reputation as an entrepreneurial University that is bold and ambitious for its staff and students and is committed to identifying innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems through impactful, collaborative partnerships.
To be named as the Charles Huang Professor of International Entrepreneurship, and to work with colleagues at the Stephen Young Institute is particularly special.
When I started my academic career at Strathclyde in 1998, Stephen was in the office next to me. From day one he was welcoming, kind, and generous with his knowledge and experience. To be able to work with colleagues to build on Stephen’s legacy through nurturing relationships between people and organisations in global and local networks and ecosystems is truly an honour.”
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. She sits on the boards of the Beatson Cancer Charity, Enable Scotland, and on the Strategic Advisory Boards of The Gender Index and Pathways Forward. She is also Scottish Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
CHATIC is named for alumnus Dr Charles Huang, global business leader and founder of private equity firm Pasaca Capital Inc, who donated £50m to the University, Strathclyde’s largest-ever philanthropic gift, in 2021.
A digital, entrepreneurial and social engagement hub, CHATIC will be housed in the former Student Union building on John Street.