Q&A with…Professor Niall MacKenzie
As part of our series of Q&As with Strathclyde Business School staff, Professor Niall MacKenzie, head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation, is in today’s spotlight.
What's your role at SBS?
Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation. I started in August 2024 having spent five and a half years at University of Glasgow. Prior to that I was at Strathclyde for six and a half years in the Hunter Centre as a Senior Lecturer. My new role is quite different from when I was last here but I’m really enjoying it.
What does your typical day look like?
I try to avoid routine but I do like to start the day with a cup of tea, then on to emails attending to urgent matters first. I hate having unread emails so I like to stay on top of things. From there it could be anything from meetings with academics/companies/investors to researching and teaching. I try to remember to have lunch!
Tell us about your research.
I hold a British Academy Innovation Fellowship examining the economic impact of Angel investment in Scotland since 2000. My other main research interest is the history of Scotch whisky. I am Co-Editor in Chief of the journal Business History which I love. I see research as a fundamental part of my reason for doing this job so producing it and helping others to do the same is a joy.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It’s got to be the people I get to meet on a daily basis - almost always interesting and I learn so much from them. Between that and getting to research things I’m Interested in is really a privilege that I try not to forget.
What's your favourite element of teaching?
The interaction you get with the class and helping them on their way. Helping students understand things in ways that are useful to them and the feeling of reward you get when you see them get it.
What's your favourite thing about Strathclyde?
There’s a very clear sense of purpose about the University and a strong sense of collegiality that comes from the people that work here. Lots of good people doing great work.
Where's your favourite spot in Glasgow?
The Ottoman Coffeehouse is a favourite spot for coffee. Mother India Cafe is my favourite restaurant, although I do love Mosob on Dundas St near the University too. Kelvingrove Art Gallery for relaxing as it reminds me of my parents taking me there as a child which I’ve been very lucky to be able to do with my own children.
Favourite place in Scotland?
I really love sitting having a cup of tea with my mum in the house I grew up in Perth. Otherwise, anytime I go to the Highlands and Islands I feel instantly relaxed. My mum’s side of the family are from Pitlochry and my dad’s side are from Fort William, and my PhD was on Highland development so it’s probably ingrained into me!
Quick fire: favourite book, music, film?
Book: I tend to read a lot of non-fiction these days. So currently Charles Craig’s The Scotch Whisky Record. I’m a historian who’s terrible at remembering dates so I find that book to be invaluable for my work. The last fiction book I read was Ragtime by EL Doctorow which I really enjoyed and it gave me a lot of pause for thought about how I write.
Music: Cloudbusting by Kate Bush is a favourite, but there are so many to choose from. My kids and I like to have dance parties in the kitchen so Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan gets played a lot currently.
Film: I like to write while having a film playing in the background. Anything spy or action oriented I’ll watch. The more ridiculous the better. Any James Bond film will hold my attention no matter how often I’ve seen it.
Published: 26 February 2025
