Following an extremely successful six years in the role, Professor Veronica Hope Hailey has decided that she will step back from the role of Dean of the School of Management from 30 September this year for family reasons.

Over those years, the School has achieved outstanding success under Professor Hope Hailey’s leadership. Some of the indicators of this collective achievement include:

  • the most recent Global QS Research ranking placed the School 15th and 23rd in the world on its two research metrics;
  • the School has grown its income significantly from £19 million in 2012/2013 to £36 million in 2018/19;
  • for undergraduate programmes, this year's Complete University Guide ranked Marketing first for the fourth year in a row and Business and Management is now ranked second;
  • the THES ranking in December 2018 ranked the School’s PGT MSc in Management 15th in the world;
  • the new vision and building for the School are well underway.

To ensure the University continues to benefit from Professor Hope Hailey’s expertise, the Vice-Chancellor has asked that within her role of Vice-President, she leads on the important area of Strategic External Engagement.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian White, said: “I am most grateful to Veronica both for her outstanding contribution to the School of Management and University over the last six years, and her continued commitment to both.

“In her crucial senior role as Vice-President, which will be an integral part of the University Executive Board, she will lead a series of projects looking at how we can engage more effectively with external partners, with an initial focus on our corporate relationships.

“The continued success of the School of Management is vital, and I am very keen that we consult with the School about recruiting a new Dean. I will be leading a process of discussing this with members and stakeholders of the School.”

Professor Hope Hailey said:

“I have been incredibly privileged to be Dean of the School of Management for the last six years and to work with such talented colleagues, students and Advisory Board members. Our successes are a tribute to the collective efforts of all members of the School community. My commitment to both the School and University remains undimmed. I’m delighted with the opportunity to lead projects on strategic external engagement as Vice-President as well as continuing to support the School over the coming months.”

Professor Brian Squire, currently Deputy Dean, will take on the role of Acting Dean from 30 September until a new Dean is in position. This will ensure the continuing success of the School into the next academic year, and, in particular, continue the good progress on the building project which Brian has been leading.

Professor Hope Hailey will continue to contribute her world-leading research as a Professor of Management Studies. She will also Chair major School meetings such as the Executive Board and Board of Studies until a successor is appointed. Veronica will also Co-Chair the School’s External Advisory Board with Sir Francis Richards until her successor is appointed. The role of Chair during this interim period will ensure that her experience is still available to the School while we run an international search for her successor.