Former Lib-Dem leader Jo Swinson takes on role at business school

Former Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson is to take up a role as a visiting professor at a leading business school

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, has taken up a role as a professor at a prestigious business school.

The former MP for East Dunbartonshire who led the Lib Dems for just four and a half months, the shortest tenure as leader of the party in history, will take a role as a ‘visiting professor’ at Cranfield School of Management.

She will work with the business school’s ‘Changing World of Work’ group, set up to examine the “implications of the changing work context on managing people and organisations”.

Under the Tory/Lib Dem coalition, Ms Swinson had a stint as a business minister between 2012 and 2015 before losing her seat to the SNP’s John Nicolson in the 2015 general election.

Following her relection to parliament in 2017, the Scottish politician became leader of the Lib Dems following a leadership campaign after the resignation of Tim Farron for whom she had served as deputy leader.

Ms Swinson said she was “delighted” to be joining the university and said: “The world of work is changing rapidly and Covid-19 has sent that change into overdrive. How organisations adapt will determine their ability to survive and thrive.

“I’m delighted to be joining Cranfield School of Management and I’m looking forward to helping develop their thinking on issues that I have championed throughout my career such as gender equality and the role of technology in the workplace.”

Professor Emma Parry, head of Cranfield’s Changing World of Work group, said: “I’m thrilled that Jo Swinson is joining our group. Throughout her career she has championed equality and, as Business Minister, she was fundamental in bringing about change in the workplace through the introduction of shared parental leave.

“Jo will be a great addition to our team and I’m sure our clients and students will benefit from her experience and insight.”

Professor David Oglethorpe, dean of Cranfield School of Management and pro-vice-chancellor of Cranfield University, said: “Jo Swinson’s experience as a campaigner and a Minister will be a real asset to our School.

“I’m delighted that our world-renowned expertise in leadership and management practice has attracted someone of Jo’s calibre.”

Cranfield School of Management was established in 1967 and is part of Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, and was ranked among the top European Business Schools by the Financial Times in 2017.

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Former Lib-Dem leader Jo Swinson takes on role at business school

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