The current Dean of the School of Applied Sciences will take on the newly created role
Professor Gary Hutchison has been appointed as the new Assistant Principal of Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).
The newly created role in the University’s leadership will see Professor Hutchison develop ENU’s work with external stakeholders, including government, public bodies, education, and the third sector, to build influence and create new opportunities for collaboration.
Professor Hutchison first arrived at the University to undertake a PhD in the toxicology of inhaled particles, having completed his early scientific training in molecular and cell biology at the University of Stirling. He continued to build his academic career at ENU and was appointed Dean of the School of Applied Sciences in August 2015.
In addition to leading the School, Professor Hutchison was also the University’s lead for the Borderlands Region and City Deal Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project and Chair of the University Environmental Sustainability Strategy Group. He has been an independent scientific advisor to the UK Government for over 10 years and currently holds membership of key committees for the Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 
In academia, he chairs the Scottish Institute for Policing Research Board of Governance and the Edinburgh Exchange Initiative and is an active member of the Scottish Council of Deans for Education.
Professor Hutchison will take up the new post on 1 July, while an interim replacement as Dean of School will be announced in the coming weeks.
Reacting to his appointment Professor Gary Hutchison, Assistant Principal of Edinburgh Napier University said: “After an amazing decade as School Dean, I am excited to begin a new chapter as the Assistant Principal.
“I am proud of our record of success in our research and academic initiatives in making a societal impact. These experiences have significantly shaped me both personally and professionally.
“This new role presents an exciting opportunity to create a new approach to partnerships and strengthen existing connections with our local, regional, and national community, whilst also expanding the reach, recognition, and impact of our university's academic programmes and research initiatives.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing to support the work of our students and colleagues, across the University, in this new capacity.”
Professor Sue Rigby, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Gary is an excellent choice for this important and strategic role given his deep institutional understanding, excellent external networks and his commitment to championing some of the key pillars of our strategic plan like sustainability, health and wellbeing.
“It is an exciting time for us to do things differently and enhance our ability to make a difference.
“I look forward to working with him in building more bridges out of and into our University for external stakeholders.”