Redefining business school learning and teaching transformation

Calls for “transformation” in UK higher education are widespread, yet often remain rhetorical rather than structural. Many institutions continue to rely on legacy models of leadership, governance, and delivery that limit their ability to respond to digital disruption, shifting student expectations, and a rapidly evolving labour market. This article presents the Learning and Teaching Transformation Project (LTTP) at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot‑Watt University, as a case study of meaningful, future‑focused change. Aligned with EBS Ambition 2030, the LTTP reimagined on‑campus provision through practice‑based learning, flexible pathways, and globally accessible, industry‑informed curricula. Over 18 months, extensive consultation with staff, students, alumni, and employers enabled the School to balance a unified academic vision with disciplinary and regional relevance across campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia. The project also demonstrates how transformational leadership and distributed ownership can create the conditions for sustainable change. The article reflects on lessons for business schools seeking genuine transformation.