Pictured: John with Frances Shepherd, Director of Development and Alumni at the University.
John Watson OBE was hugely-privileged to attend the official opening of the University of Glasgow’s new home for its world-leading Adam Smith Business School.
The new Adam Smith Business School Building and Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Hub was opened by Professor Cecilia Rouse, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in the White House for the Biden-Harris administration.
The Adam Smith Business School Building and Postgraduate Taught Hub cost £85 million and contains state-of-the-art teaching, research and collaboration spaces for students and staff from the University’s Adam Smith Business School.
It also delivers the first ever dedicated study and social space for the University of Glasgow’s graduate students, meaning the University can better support and promote business skills, employability and graduate attributes across its programmes.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “This new building will be a fantastic home for our world-renowned Adam Smith Business School. Opening in Adam Smith’s tercentenary year, it will ensure that Glasgow sustains his legacy by continuing to promote innovation, foster connections across academia, industry and policy, and welcome staff and students from around the world to the city of Glasgow.
“These new facilities will bring our community together in new ways, enabling us to respond to the changing needs of industry and job markets, while placing business skills at the heart of the student experience at Glasgow.”
Head of the Adam Smith Business School, Professor Eleanor Shaw, said: “The Adam Smith Business School is committed to being engaged, enlightened and entrepreneurial, and to engaging in world-changing research and scholarship that can have positive differences on our learners and for the communities we work with and service.
“This major new facility also means the Adam Smith Business School can grow its international reputation, attracting the very best staff and students to Glasgow.”
John Watson has an impressive track record in supporting entrepreneurial ambition over many years and is one of Scotland’s foremost business voices. This is matched by his deep-rooted philanthropic approach to supporting a wide range of organisations including the University.
John is a former Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year – bestowed in 2015 at the Scottish Business Awards.