Professor Stewart Robinson appointed new Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools

The Chartered Association of Business Schools has appointed Professor Stewart Robinson as its new Chair, taking over the helm from Professor Robert MacIntosh.

Stewart Robinson is the Dean at Newcastle University Business School. He has previously been the Dean of Loughborough University School of Business and Economics, and has held positions at Aston Business School and Warwick Business School. Before joining academia, Stewart started his career in industry as a business analyst and consultant using computer simulation to improve manufacturing and service operations.

Professor Mohammed Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean at Anglia Ruskin University Dean, has also been appointed as Vice Chair.

The Chartered ABS Council held elections as Professor Robert MacIntosh’s term came to end following his appointment to a university-wide role as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation) at the University of the West of Scotland. Robert has been Chair since March 2020, steering the association through the pandemic, its success in being appointed to deliver the Help to Grow: Management Course, and a period of significant growth.

Commenting on his appointment Professor Stewart Robinson said: “It is an honour to Chair the Chartered ABS. The UK’s business schools are one of our nation’s global success stories exporting our business and management education around the world, and in turn strengthening the UK’s soft power and helping to put our world class universities on a sustainable footing.

In the face of the challenging environment for UK higher education, the Chartered ABS is committed to our priorities to secure the financial sustainability of the UK’s business schools and accelerate small business productivity and growth for the benefit of the UK economy. Through our work and together with our members we seek to ensure that the UK’s business schools can thrive and positively impact business and society as the country goes for growth.”

Outgoing Chair Professor Robert MacIntosh said: “The Chartered ABS is an incredibly supportive and inclusive community. It provides invaluable support for all those that work in business schools, from Deans to educators, from research colleagues to professional services. It has been a privilege to Chair an association that, through its public affairs, publications and professional development, delivers such high impact for and on behalf of its members.”

Flora Hamilton, Chief Executive of the Chartered ABS said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Stewart Robinson as our new Chair. Under his leadership we look forward to building on and utilising the engagement of our members through this period of financial instability facing the university sector. We are also grateful to Professor Robert MacIntosh for his unwavering commitment to our mission to support and champion business schools for the benefit of business and society. Our influence has grown significantly during his tenure.”