St Mary’s Appoints Leading Entrepreneur as Visiting Professor

St Mary’s University, Twickenham has appointed Faraz Khan a Visiting Professor in Social Enterprise and Social Innovation.

Founder of Pakistan based social entrepreneurship and equity development organisation SEED, Prof Khan is a leading thinker and practitioner in social enterprise.

Prof Khan and SEED recently signed an Memorandum of Understanding with St Mary’s aimed at instilling entrepreneurship in students and inspiring innovation and new business models that help to deliver positive social and economic development in the UK and abroad.

The partnership will see the development of a new Centre for Global Public Service and Social Innovation at the University and the planning and delivery of a new Masters programme in Global Public Policy and Social Innovation.

Vice Chancellor of St Mary’s University Prof Francis Campbell said, “We are in an exciting period of growth and I am delighted that Prof Khan has joined us. I am sure he will make a real impact here in the new research centre, which will be playing a big role in the public sphere.”

The Centre for Global Public Service and Social Innovation will focus on public leadership and management at the intersection of market, state and civil society, and the implications for how policy is made, services delivered and enterprise unleashed.

Professor of Social Justice and Innovation at St Mary’s, Francis Davis, said, “Prof Khan brings with him a wealth of experience and I am sure he will have a big impact at St Mary’s. Students will be able to benefit from both Prof Khan’s and SEED’s experience in facilitating social entrepreneurship, as the University builds towards becoming a a centre of recognised expertise.”

Speaking of his appointment, Prof Khan said “I’m honoured to be joining St Mary’s and its very distinguished roster of Visiting Professors. The University’s plans to become a center of excellence and disruptor in social enterprise, innovation and policy sphere is truly impressive.

“This honour will enable me to build on existing work of St Mary’s in developing inclusive and collaborative enterprise and innovation models and integrate the power and practices of emerging markets and contribute in redefining future space of academia and enterprise.”

Prof Khan’s appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile appointments as former Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly joined as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise while former Irish President Mary McAleese served as Distinguished Professor in 2016. Baroness Warsi joined as a visiting professor, working closely with the University’s Centre for Initiatives in Spirituality and Reconciliation (InSpiRe).

Meanwhile, leading barrister Cherie Blair, the UK’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland and Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward have also joined as visiting professors.