New Chair appointed at Chartered Association of Business Schools

The Chartered Association of Business Schools is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Simon Collinson as its new Chair.

Simon Collinson is the Dean of Birmingham Business School and Professor of International Business and Innovation. After five years of leadership, Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster Management School, is stepping down and will remain on the Chartered ABS Council.

On his appointment, Professor Simon Collinson said: "The Chartered ABS has gained increasing prominence under the excellent leadership of Professor Angus Laing. It is more effective than ever, representing the interests of members in key debates, shaping policy and practice and enhancing our impact through engagement with UK business and government. I feel privileged to be selected as the new Chair and look forward to working with the Council and the Chief Executive to build on this momentum and take the organisation forward."

Reflecting on his five years in the role, Professor Angus Laing said: "It has been a rewarding experience to have served as Chair of the Chartered ABS over the past five years. This period has seen significant change in the operation of the Association and in its ability to represent the interests of the business school community at the highest levels of government. This has seen increasing recognition of the impact which business schools can have on the performance of businesses and, more widely on economic growth. I am delighted that Professor Simon Collinson is to be the next Chair of the Association and I am certain that given his standing within the business school and research communities he will further strengthen the ability of the Chartered ABS to represent the interests of British business schools."

Annie Kiem Chief Executive of Chartered ABS said, “The Chartered ABS and the business school community are immensely grateful for the vision and determination of Professor Angus Laing in his five years as Chair. He cares deeply about the sector and has worked tirelessly to bring the successes to greater attention and yet hasn't been afraid to challenge where he thinks things should be better. We look forward to working with Professor Simon Collinson who has already indicated a desire for business schools to discuss the big issues affecting the economy, society and HE as a whole and to determine how we should be responding.”