Published:
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Angus Laing as our new Executive Dean of Social Sciences and Edinburgh Business School.
Heriot-Watt Vice-Principal and Provost, Professor Mark Biggs said:
“I am delighted to welcome Professor Laing into this key leadership role within Heriot-Watt. His appointment signals a new era for our School of Social Sciences and Edinburgh Business School, building on the strong progress made over recent years.
“His tremendous experience in promoting and supporting excellence is more important than ever as we endeavour to build a more inclusive, fairer, and sustainable world. I am very much looking forward to working with Professor Laing as he leads the School of Social Sciences and Edinburgh Business School in the next stage of their development.”
Professor Laing is currently University Dean for Strategic Initiatives at Lancaster University, a role that brings responsibility for a portfolio covering regional growth, skills and public policy.
Prior to this, he led the business schools at Lancaster (2015-21), Loughborough (2009-15) and Glasgow (2005-09). Professor Laing undertakes research in the area of management of complex professional services, in particular the impact of technology on service consumption and delivery. His research has been funded extensively by the ESRC, NIHR and British Academy, public and professional bodies including the NHS and DTI/BIS, and business; he has published extensively and been returned to REF since 1996.
Professor Laing said he was delighted to be joining Heriot-Watt in October, adding:
"Leading the School of Social Sciences and Edinburgh Business School at this time offers an exciting opportunity to address the economic and social challenges we face today locally and globally.
"The mix of disciplines across the university offers distinctive scope for the School to play a leading role in shaping how society and business responds to technological developments and environmental pressures to create sustainable prosperity.
"I look forward to working with Heriot-Watt colleagues to further build recognition for its intellectual excellence and transformational impact on people, organisations and communities world-wide."
Professor Laing was Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) from 2010-15, and currently chairs the CABS Academic Journal Guide Committee. He has led various of his schools through AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditation or re-accreditation, and is regularly a member of peer review teams for these accreditations at other institutions.
We look forward to welcoming Professor Laing in October 2022.