Prof. Gary Packham took up the new strategic role of Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in September 2022. He leads the development and implementation of an ambitious programme to achieve a step change in the University’s support for student and graduate entrepreneurship across education and research.
He was previously PVC and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at ARU where he led a team of over 150 academic and 30 administrative staff who were responsible for delivering world class business, management, leadership and finance research and education to 5,000 on campus students and a further 2,000 students studying at one of the Faculty’s UK or international Associate Colleges. During his leadership, the Faculty enjoyed significant success, securing world leading research status in the REF 2014 and 2021 exercises. In addition, Prof Packham has also overseen the introduction of new employer focused undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and returned the Faculty back to a significant and healthy financial surplus position. The Faculty has successfully delivered a suite of leading work-based learning and degree apprenticeship programmes for organisations such as Barclays, Co-op, Harrods, Tri-Services (MoD), UPS, Unipart and Wilmot Dixon as well as rapidly expanding distance learning, short course and micro-credential portfolio. The Faculty also secured Small Business Charter status and delivering the Help 2 Grow programme for SMEs on the East of England.
As part of his PVC role, he has had responsibility for international development, employability and entrepreneurship and innovation across the institution. During this period, Anglia Ruskin University has received two awards for entrepreneurship – the Times Higher Education Award (THE) for Entrepreneurial University of the Year (2014) and the Lloyds Bank National University Entrepreneurship Award (2016). ARU also holds Centre of Excellence status with the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs and was shortlisted again for the Outstanding Entrepreneurship University in 2021 by the THE.
Previously Prof. Gary Packham led the research, third stream and engagement agenda for the Faculty as Deputy Dean (Research and Enterprise) leading the dramatic transformation of the Business School’s research and external engagement activities over the previous two years. Prior to joining Anglia Ruskin University, he was Head of the Glamorgan Business School and Head of Research for the Faculty of Business and Society at the University of Glamorgan (now University of South Wales). He also acted as director of the Centre for Enterprise. He has led and managed a wide range of research and business engagement projects working for organisations such as the European Commission, Belgian Science and Policy Office, Welsh Government, Sector Skills Council and the Federation of Small Businesses. He has published widely in international peer reviewed journals in subjects such as economic development policy, entrepreneurship education, small business management and strategy, technology transfer and commercialisation.