Dr David Park is a professor in entrepreneurship and innovation and was previously associate dean (external engagement) and the director of executive education for the school.
Professor Park holds three degrees (BEng, MSc, PhD) from the university, in engineering and artificial intelligence, and has a wealth of practical entrepreneurial experience gained in the UK and New Zealand from starting and running his own innovative businesses and social enterprises.
He has first-hand experience in raising millions of dollars’ worth of start-up funds, growing effective, multi-disciplinary teams, and completing multi-million-dollar licensing deals with FTSE100 companies. He has also played an active role in helping create national policies across a number of sectors including food, geospatial engineering and UAV systems. As well as providing strategic support and mentoring to hundreds of early-stage companies and social enterprises across the UK, he has enthusiastically mentored and taught thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the world.
Professor Park said: “This is an exceptionally exciting time to become dean of Nottingham University Business School. There are some fantastic opportunities on the horizon in academia and business to help us realise the School’s potential.”
The University of Nottingham is placed seventh in the UK for research power according to analysis by Times Higher Education and Nottingham University Business School is an international leader in finance and management education, and a pioneer in entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.
It is one of the select few business schools in the world that hold ‘triple crown’ accreditation – the renowned accolade for business schools worldwide is made up of the three most influential accrediting organisations: AACSB in the United States, AMBA in the UK, and EQUIS in Europe. Employers recognise the accreditation as a mark of high standards, quality and reputation.
Nottingham University Business School is the only business school in the UK to hold triple accreditation from AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for its operations on every campus (UK, China and Malaysia).
The news comes as the school is set to make a significant investment in its staff, students and research, as well as expanding its operations to the new Castle Meadow Campus in the city centre. The business school will conduct teaching, research and partnership activity on the new site, establish a new Executive Education Centre, and provide a practice-orientated campus where employers and postgraduate students can work and learn together.
Professor Todd Landman, pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of social sciences, said: “We are very pleased that Professor Park has been appointed to this exciting new role. He has demonstrated his excellent leadership as Associate Dean for External Engagement in the School and brings outstanding experience from both industry and academia which benefits our staff and students. We look forward to continuing to work with him to shape the future of the business school as it embarks on an exciting time of change.”
