- Leo Quinn has been appointed as visiting professor in the College of Business and Social Sciences
- He has been group chief executive of Balfour Beatty since 2015
- Appointment will enhance Aston University’s already impressive knowledge exchange and co-production with business.
Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty plc and founder of The 5% Club, Leo Quinn, has been appointed as visiting professor in the College of Business and Social Science at Aston University in recognition of his contribution to business. The appointment is for an initial period of 3 years.
At Balfour Beatty, Leo has been responsible for the successful transformation of the UK’s leading infrastructure group, returning it to profit, creating one of the industry’s strongest balance sheets and managing the growth of the Group’s order book by ca 45% in the last three years.
Prior to Balfour Beatty, Leo was Group Chief Executive of QinetiQ Group plc and before that Chief Executive of De la Rue plc. He led both companies through successful transformations which restored them both to strength and created over £1 billion of value in each case.
In 2013, Leo founded The 5% Club – a dynamic movement of employers committed to earn and learn as part of developing the workforce needed both by their business and to build a socially mobile, prosperous and cohesive nation. The Club exists to help its members and all employers increase the number, quality and range of earn and learn opportunities across the UK.
He is the only construction leader to be asked to join the Prime Minister’s 30-member Build Back Better Council, responsible for unlocking investment, boosting job creation and levelling up the whole of the UK.
Speaking about his appointment, Professor Quinn said:
"It is an honour to join Aston University as a visiting professor.
“As founder of The 5% Club, I believe there is great value in engaging the minds of the younger generation, empowering and equipping them with the tools and techniques to ensure the continued success of the country as we build back better and more sustainably.
“I look forward to discussing the mechanisms of business with the business leaders of tomorrow at Aston University”.
Professor George Feiger, pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said:
“This well-deserved award recognises the distinguished contribution that Professor Quinn has made and continues to make to the business community.
“We are privileged to have a business practitioner of Leo's stature join our Faculty. As a university that values highly practical experience, his wide and varied track record at boardroom level will provide invaluable stimulus and advice for our students and staff alike.
“Professor Quinn will work at a strategic level across the university in defining future strategies for impactful research and in areas of national importance.”
- Notes to Editors
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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