Professor Angus Laing is the Executive Dean of Edinburgh Business School and the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. As an experienced, innovative leader in business education, he has held key roles at several prominent institutions. Before joining Heriot-Watt, he served as Dean of Lancaster University Management School and the School of Business and Economics at Loughborough University, as well as Head of University of Glasgow’s Business School. Professor Laing’s first Chair appointment was at the Open University Business School, where he was appointed to the HFC Bank Chair of Marketing.

During his career, Professor Laing’s visionary approach to strategy, leadership, operations, and empowering people has delivered transformational outcomes, and he is committed to enhancing the relevance and societal impact of business education and research. Currently, he is Chair of the Academic Journal Guide Board of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), having previously chaired the organisation itself. His expertise in business school accreditation is widely recognised through his roles with the EQUIS Committee of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and his service on accreditation panels for EFMD and AACSB.

In addition to his leadership roles, Professor Laing was a co-founder of Nurture HE, a business supporting higher education innovation. He is also an active advisor, serving on the boards of several international business schools. A regular contributor to sectoral discourse, his insights on issues impacting business schools have been featured in Times Higher Education (THE), AACSB Insights, and Global Focus.

His work reflects a deep commitment to advancing the role of business schools in addressing global challenges and shaping the future of management education.

Consumption of professional services in contemporary societies, Impact of technology on service delivery and consumption

Executive Dean - Edinburgh Business School & the School of Social Sciences

Research Interests

Professor Angus Laing's research primarily focuses on marketing and business management, with a particular emphasis on professional services and service management. His work delves into the dynamics of service delivery, client relationships, and the strategic management of professional service firms. Additionally, he has explored topics related to healthcare, higher education management, and policy. His publications contribute to a deeper understanding of how professional services operate and are managed within various organisational contexts.