The University of Strathclyde’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation has a new name and a newly appointed Director.

Formerly The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, the addition of Strategy and Innovation to the name reflects its expanded focus, scope and alignment with the University’s successful and distinctive strategy.  The Centre also has a new Director, Professor Niall MacKenzie.

The family name of Sir Tom Hunter, the Centre’s principal benefactor, remains front and centre and The Hunter Foundation remains closely involved in the department, which encompasses scholarship, knowledge exchange and teaching activities around entrepreneurship, strategy, and innovation.

Professor MacKenzie, who joined Strathclyde from the University of Glasgow having previously worked at the Centre between 2012-2018, has emphasised the importance of staying true to the Centre’s original principles which have led to significant contributions to entrepreneurship education and business creation over the past 24 years: enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities among students, leading entrepreneurial research in Scotland, and promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career.

Professor MacKenzie said: “We want to build on the expertise here in the Hunter Centre. The Centre and Strathclyde have the deepest and broadest knowledge of this space in Scotland.

“In terms of the collective number of academics, you’d struggle to find more expertise anywhere else, certainly in Scotland, and I think that’s really important.

“We have a long history of delivering world-class research, education, and knowledge exchange so the intention is to continue to do that, to recognise the changing context, trends, technology and ways of working and to help prepare students, staff, and others for what the future holds.

“It’s keeping in mind the original mission principles of the department but adapting them and working with them for the 21st century.”

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde said: “We are delighted to welcome back Niall to Strathclyde and look forward to his leadership of the renamed Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation.

“This new name reflects the expanded scope of the Centre and Strathclyde’s strategic focus on these key themes across the University. The Centre’s success and impact reflect the founding intentions of the endowment and will benefit from ongoing support from Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation for which we are hugely grateful.”

Sir Tom Hunter said: “We are fundamentally committed to seeing the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation succeed in delivering compelling and inspiring education for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leading on pragmatic research that benefits policy and entrepreneurs.”

The department’s growth and increase in its scope is reflective of the role within the University, Scottish society and further afield.

The Centre, which comprises 35 staff, also has a close relationship with Strathclyde Inspire, which leads the University’s wider entrepreneurial strategy and supports enterprise amongst staff, students and alumni.