Graduation and Alumnus of the Year – Adrian Gillespie

Graduation ceremonies for Strathclyde Business School took place from November 4-8, with undergraduate, postgraduate, executive education and research degrees all being conferred. 

This year, the Alumnus of the Year Award 2022 went to Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise.

Prior to this, he held the post of Strathclyde’s first ever Chief Commercial Officer and member of the University’s Executive Team where he led the growth of extensive industry-facing activities, centres and relationships as well as managing the development of innovative, place-based economic development projects including the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Glasgow City Innovation District.

Before moving to Strathclyde, Adrian had an earlier role at Scottish Enterprise, originally joining in 2001, where he spent 16 years leading the organisation’s business support through account management of high growth companies, entrepreneurship development and high growth start-up support, R&D and innovation support, as well as the business infrastructure division.

During this time - whilst employed with Scottish Enterprise and in collaboration with Strathclyde - Adrian served as a member of the advisory board of the University’s Institute of Photonics. He was instrumental in developing relationships with the US through SU2P, a Strathclyde-led photonics partnership between institutions in Scotland and California.

Adrian has contributed greatly to Strathclyde life. As well as being a member of the advisory board of the University’s Institute of Photonics – where he was instrumental in developing relationships with the US through SU2P, a Strathclyde led partnership between institutions in Scotland and California; he also studied for an MBA at Strathclyde, graduating in 2005, and has kindly donated to the student hardship fund at Strathclyde.

Amongst those graduating were MBA students from all learning routes and international centres – it was a great opportunity for them to meet with each other and celebrate. In addition, our latest MBA25 group, namely cohort 5, and the Strathclyde Executive Education and Development (SEED) team was delighted to see them graduate and wish them all the best for the future.