New business school dean to make savings

A NEW dean has been apppointed at Henley Business School.

Professor Elena Beleska-Spasova has taken up the post with immediate effect.

She has spent the last eight months as acting dean following the retirement of John Board from the role.

She will lead work to develop and grow the business school in support of the University of Reading’s strategic plan, which will include helping to tackle external financial pressures and to make savings and streamline work.

Prof Beleska-Spasova joined the school in 2009 as a lecturer in international business and became a professor in 2019.

In 2021, she took on the role of pro-dean education and innovation, where she worked alongside the dean as one of the key contributors to the school’s overall direction and management.

Prof Beleska-Spasova said: “Taking on the role of dean is a huge honour. Having worked here for almost 14 years, I have first-hand experience of all that Henley has to offer, including our world-class research, our innovative teaching and our forward-thinking employees.

“The role is not without challenges, particularly in these difficult and uncertain economic times. My focus will be to ensure that we continue to build a sustainable and resilient institution that is able to thrive and grow, delivering smart thinking and innovation that makes a real difference to students and businesses alike. I’m really excited.”