Suffolk Business School is a new and innovative community impact Business School. Based at the heart of one of the UK’s fastest city economies in Ipswich it is committed to developing the talent and entrepreneurial effectiveness of all learners across the University and within the local business community. At the heart of the Suffolk Business School is the Innovation Labs at the University of Suffolk (ILOUS), a dedicated space to bring together students, academics and businesses to drive forward change and innovation. His directorate works closely with business and public sector partners to support student and graduate employability; collaborative projects offering consultancy services; applied research; joint working opportunities and programmes of business-focused training. The team provide a facilitative role in the engagement of local employers and businesses, convening employer networks to facilitate the alignment of the University's curriculum and research activity with the needs of the local economy.
Gurpreet has spent the last 15 years working in universities across the UK, in roles predominantly focussing on business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship. Blurring boundaries between education and business is Gurpreet’s passion, exploring ways that they can come together to ensure the needs of business are being met and graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on society.
Gurpreet joined the University of Suffolk from UWE Bristol where he was the Professor and Director of the Institute for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, a pioneer in enterprise education to transform the futures of young people and support the next generation of entrepreneurs thereby creating a more successful economy. Prior to this, Gurpreet was Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at London South Bank University (LSBU, and CEO of South Bank University Enterprises Ltd (SBUEL) where in a relatively short period of time he established an award-winning research and enterprise centre – ranked second in the UK, fourth in Europe and fifteenth globally, for innovative business development. And under his leadership LSBU successfully secured the crown as The Times Higher Award for Entrepreneurial University of the Year – recognising the outstanding entrepreneurial support offered to students, graduates, staff and the local community.