In December 2022, The University of St Andrews announced plans to launch a new business school by merging its School of Management & Finance and School of Economics. Brad MacKay, Professor of Strategy and now Interim Dean, talks about this new era of business education at Scotland’s oldest university. 

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview. Before we dive in, please could you introduce yourself?

My name is Brad MacKay, I am currently serving as the Deputy Principal at St Andrews University and Interim Dean of the Business School, overseeing its establishment. Before this, I held the role of Vice Principal for International Strategy and External Relations. I first arrived in St Andrews when I came to the university to complete my PhD in strategy, focusing on the field of management. I was actively involved in establishing the Centre for Business Education at St Andrews, which later merged with the Department of Management to form the School of Management. This was part of a larger reorganisation at the university where international relations and economics became separate schools.

Before returning to St Andrews, I also spent several years at Edinburgh, where I was the Associate Dean for engagement at the University of Edinburgh Business School. During my time at Edinburgh, I led the strategy and international business group and researched the impact of the Scottish independence referendum on business decision-making.

Additionally, I have been actively engaged in consulting for various sectors, including industry, government and third-sector organisations. I also served on the Executive Council for the Chartered Institute of Bankers for a period.

St Andrews already has an outstanding School of Finance & Management and School of Economics. Why create a business school? Why merge these faculties?

First, the decision to merge these faculties and establish a business school is not a sudden one but rather the result of a long-term evolution. The Department of Management was founded in the 1980s and has undergone various transformations over the years – many people have wondered why there was no business school at St Andrew’s, given the university’s reputation and expertise in related fields.

The creation of a business school allows St Andrews to leverage its convening power and sense of community, which are special characteristics of the university. Business schools are well-defined entities that are recognised globally, and having one at St Andrews provides a platform to bring together diverse subjects and foster interdisciplinary approaches. This means working closely with other departments such as international relations, psychology, computer science, mathematics, and statistics.

This scale offers the opportunity to invest in something special and build on St Andrews’ strengths and the establishment of a business school aligns with the university’s ambitious strategy, which focuses on interdisciplinary research, inclusivity and diversity, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, sustainability, and social responsibility. The new business school will be at the centre of these strategic pillars, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with the School of International Relations. By creating a business school, St Andrews aims to create a social science hub that fosters genuine interdisciplinary education and research, especially drawing upon our already world-leading standing in areas like Sustainable Development, Psychology and International Relations. Collaboration between the business school and the school of International Relations, for example, can lead to joint programmes focused on strategy, leadership, international business, and supporting women in leadership positions.

What programmes can we expect to see? Will St Andrews be launching an MBA?

We want to continue to run our undergraduate programmes in finance, management, and economics within the business school framework. While these programmes may evolve, our immediate focus is not on launching a full-time MBA. The MBA market is highly saturated and intensely competitive and our vision for the business school does not currently align with offering an MBA programme. Instead, our growth strategy will revolve around executive education. We plan to expand our executive programmes, including short courses and blended or distance learning options. We might consider an Executive MBA in the future, but our main emphasis right now is refining our existing programmes, and providing impactful executive education offerings.

When can we expect St Andrews Business School to be fully up and running?

So, I started my role as the Interim Dean on the 1^st of May this year, and by August the business school will be softly launched, with a hard launch in September 2024. Even though this is when we will officially establish the school, we have implemented a transition process that will span a year. Considering the challenges that a sudden change would bring, this time will allow us to fully form the structures of our business school.

Initially, we will have three departments: management, economics, and finance. Over the course of the year, we will work on integrating systems, processes, and structures, as well as considering elements of equality, diversity, and inclusion within the business school.

We have set up workstreams involving staff, faculty, and students, which are focusing on various aspects, including culture, values, research impact, and curriculum, helping stakeholders at every level have a voice in shaping the future of the business school.

In 2027, we will move into the business school’s new home at the university’s new site, New College. And that will mark the end to the merger between these two schools, and a new era for business education at St Andrews!

Finally, if we envision ourselves in the lobby of St Andrews Business School’s New College building in 2027, what would have constituted a successful launch?

Well, firstly, it would involve establishing a clear vision and direction for the school, outlining its purpose and strategic objectives. This clarity of purpose will serve as a guiding force as we move forward. Additionally, a successful launch would encompass fostering a strong and cohesive culture within the school. This includes cultivating an environment that values excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Building a positive and dynamic school culture will contribute to the later overall success of the institution.

But, of course, it is essential to focus on the practical aspects of the launch, ensuring efficient processes and systems are in place. This encompasses aspects such as workload models, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. While these may not grab headlines, they play a crucial role in supporting the daily functioning of the school and the experiences of our students and staff.

Lastly, a successful launch will involve the evolution of distinctive programme offerings and research themes that will differentiate our business school. This will require careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure our programmes and research areas align with market demands and position us as a reputable and influential institution.