Prof Malcolm Kirkup
As the Head of Westminster Business School, I lead on the development of the College's strategy for teaching, research and academic enterprise. I work with an exceptional team of talented faculty and professional services staff who deliver our strategy for the benefit of students, alumni and external client organisations. My aims for the School focus on achieving impact: impact on students to enhance their employability and impact on business and society through our applied research, consultancy and executive education. I also aim to deepen and broaden our engagement with business, the professions, our international university partners and our alumni to maximise our impact on the national and world stage.
In terms of my past experience, in addition to working as a strategic marketer in business with Sears plc, I have enjoyed a range of successful roles in UK business schools over 30 years – including Cranfield, Loughborough, Birmingham, Lancaster, Exeter and Edinburgh. I have a passion for innovation and am particularly proud of my achievements in launching new educational programmes that combine close working relationships with industry, a practical and applied focus, and which challenge conventional thinking.
I have achieved particular success in the MBA sector – creating and developing new international programmes – and also in designing new undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes that integrate new thinking around sustainability, digital enterprise, data, design thinking and leadership development. Over the years I have developed programmes with the support of a wide range of organisations, including DIxons Carphone, WWF, IBM, Syngenta, Sainsbury’s, C&A, Ford, Zolio, Edex and Johnson & Johnson.
My academic research interests focus on consumer choice, retail strategy and sustainability. My work has been published in the European Journal of Marketing, International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Practice (Applied Marketing Science), and the 4* Environment and Planning Journal.