Visiting Professors

Aston University is beneficiary driven. As a business school, this means three things:

  • Helping those who learn with us to be more effective at working in and in managing and leading for-profit and social enterprises;
  • Working with enterprises directly, to enable them to run better and grow faster and more profitably; and
  • Working with government and regulatory bodies to create an environment in which these things can be done faster and better.

As a university, we investigate challenges and issues rigorously, and constantly develop analytical tools to interpret and explain events. We step back and see the big picture, across companies, across industries and across countries.  

But such academic knowledge is not a substitute for but a complement to actual experience of having to make decisions in uncertain circumstances and quickly, and to having to evaluate the capabilities of people and motivate effective teamwork. That is why we have always emphasised the key role of work experience in our education programmes. 

Aston invented the industrial placement, we were the first in the UK to graduate Degree Apprentices, we have created online internships for international postgraduate students, we run law clinics and business clinics for SMEs. Our academics work directly with many companies. We involve many of our successful alumni in mentoring our students and in advising, and sometimes investing, in spin-off companies.

Aston’s Visiting Professors programme enables us to build extensive linkages with leaders, bringing deeper experience into our work. We seek to build a mutually rewarding relationship with a panel of distinguished business leaders. While Visiting Professors engage with our Academics as they develop their research programmes, with input on the most productive forms of engagement with policymakers. Visiting Professors also hold discussions with various student groups. 

Each Visiting Professor has a nominated link academic who facilitates the mutually beneficial relationship. 
 

Introducing our Visiting Professors
Anne BodenCEO and Founder of Starling Bank
James TimpsonCEO of Timpson
Andrew FisherChairman of Aquitane Trust Co and Skerrits Co
Charles LiEx Australia and NZ Bank
Vis RaghavanCEO of JP Morgan
Sir Rod AldridgeChair and Founder of The Aldridge Foundation
Xavier Rolet CEO and Chairman of World Quantum; Former CEO of London Stock Exchange
The Lord BichardChair of the National Audit Office
Marco ForgioneDirector General at The Institute of Exports and International Trade
Gary CoombeCEO of Gillette
Rooney AnandExecutive Chairman at RedCat Pub Company
Ann FranckeCEO of Chartered Management Institute
Carmen WatsonChairperson of Pertemps Network Group
Alison EndemanoManaging Director of Oaktree Capital Management
Louise Oliver President of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs
Matthew CrummackCEO of Domestic and General 
Koji FusaCEO of GVE Ltd 
Martin McCourt Former CEO at Dyson 
Leo QuinnCEO of Balfour Beatty Group
Tony CockerNon-Executive Director of SSE plc, Chair of Infinis Energy Management Ltd and former CEO of E.ON
Rupert SoamesCEO of Serco
Andrew HarrisonFormer Aerospace Engineer at Rolls Royce
Simon HepburnCEO of UK Cyber Security Council
Claire MilesCEO of Mac II
Tony HaywardChairman and CEO of Energy Transition Partners  
Paul JenningsChair of Advisory Board at JCB Finance
Deb LearyCEO of Forensic Pathways