OU’s new Head of Business School looks to the future

Professor Keith Schofield has been appointed as the Head of the Open University Business School, bringing with him a wealth of experience in internationalisation and accreditation. 

Prior to joining the OU, Keith worked as a Deputy Dean within the Aston Business School, based in Birmingham, where he was responsible for maintaining Aston’s triple-accreditation status, leading its MBA programme, overseeing the launch of degree apprenticeships and developing its international agenda. 

Keith also has previous experience with the OU, both as a master’s graduate and as an Associate Lecturer delivering the Business School’s Developing Leadership module, which has given him a robust understanding of the University and how he wants to take it forward. 

As the OU Business School is triple accredited, an accolade held by fewer than 1% of Business Schools worldwide, Keith is eager to continue working with EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB to showcase its excellence in management education. He is also passionate about capitalising on the OU’s position as a leader in delivering flexible supported online learning to grow its international offerings. 

Keith Schofield and the Faculty of Business and Law's Executive team.

Keith said: "One of my priorities will be to look at our curriculum to ensure we’re delivering an international experience for our students, and another will be to review how we use our platform and materials to support education on a global scale. 

“The Open University’s mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas was a huge draw for me to return and become a part of it again. As the first in my family to attend university, I recognise the transformative nature of education; I have experienced first-hand, and witnessed in my students, the identity shifts that learning facilitates. Nowhere does it better than the OU!”