Entrepreneur in Residence appointed at Advanced Research Centre
Published: 5 March 2025
Russell Dalgleish, chair of the Scottish Business Network and a global entrepreneur, has been appointed as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) – a world-class hub for interdisciplinary research and innovation.
A prominent business figure has been appointed by the University of Glasgow to help bridge the gap between academia and commercialisation.
Russell Dalgleish, chair of the Scottish Business Network and a global entrepreneur, has been appointed as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) – a world-class hub for interdisciplinary research and innovation.
The role will support the development of a thriving entrepreneurial culture within the ARC, by linking academic research with commercial expertise, and enable the University of Glasgow’s commercialisation efforts.
Entrepreneur in Residence programmes can bring practical business experience and insights to universities, to help realise the commercial potential of academic research and innovation. The role is designed to help researchers, students, and startups develop their innovations, turning ideas into successful business ventures.
The appointment of an Entrepreneur in Residence aligns with the ARC’s mission to provide a unique research environment which pioneers innovation and new ways of working, while also supporting the University’s innovation strategy and ambition to be “recognised as an entrepreneurial university”.
Uzma Khan, Vice-Principal for Economic Development and Innovation at the University of Glasgow, said: “The University has ambitious plans to unlock the potential of our world-leading research capability into cutting-edge innovation and commercialisation opportunities. We are investing to support a thriving culture of entrepreneurialism across the institution.
"The appointment of Russell Dalgleish to this role will allow us to benefit from his vast experience and to bring his invaluable insights and global connections to our doorstep. His presence in the Advanced Research Centre - which is home to over 500 researchers from a range of disciplines and provides a unique environment for fostering collaborative research - will only help our mission to drive impact for societal benefit."
Professor Andrew Tobin, Director of the ARC, added: “We are hugely excited to have attracted Russell to the role of Entrepreneur in Residence and bring his experience to see the ARC be a major player in Scotland, realising its potential as a place where discovery is turned into commercial enterprise.”
Russell is the founding Managing Partner of Exolta Capital Partners and Chair of the Scottish Business Network. He brings a wealth of experience and has played a pivotal role in advising and supporting business leaders and entrepreneurs to achieve global success. His career spans leadership roles in international companies across Europe, the US and Asia, with a particular focus on early-stage opportunities in GovTech, Smart Cities, Greentech, and solutions to address climate change.
Speaking about his appointment, Russell said: "It is an honour to join the University of Glasgow’s Advanced Research Centre as Entrepreneur in Residence. Universities are at the forefront of innovation, and I am excited to help bridge the gap between academia and the commercial world. I look forward to working with the talented researchers and students at ARC to help turn their ideas into impactful ventures of global significance.”
Holding multiple non-executive and advisory roles, Russell is a Board Member of the UK Government's Department for International Trade Global Entrepreneur Programme and Chair of CivTech’s Advisory Board – a global GovTech innovation hub. He is also the founding Director of Net Zero Nation, a non-profit organisation addressing carbon footprint reduction for SMEs.
Russell will take up the voluntary role this month.
First published: 5 March 2025