The Apprentice star Mike Soutar named new Chancellor of Abertay University
Updated: 20 hours ago
Dundee-born entrepreneur and The Apprentice star Mike Soutar is coming home to take on one of the most prominent roles at Abertay University.
The businessman, media executive and author has been announced as Abertay University’s Chancellor becoming Abertay University’s ceremonial head and an ambassador for the institution.
It marks something of a homecoming for Mike Soutar, whose career began here in Dundee before taking Mike Soutar to the top of the UK media and business world.
Mike Soutar will formally be installed as Chancellor during Abertay University’s winter graduation ceremonies on Friday 27 November succeeding outgoing Chancellor Professor Alice Brown.
From Dundee to The Apprentice
Born in Dundee Mike Soutar began his career with DC Thomson before going on to lead some of the UK’s successful media brands.
Mike Soutar later co-founded Shortlist Media, the award‑winning publisher behind ShortList and Stylist helping to build Shortlist Media into a name in British media.
Mike Soutar has since become familiar to millions of television viewers through his appearances on BBC’s The Apprentice, where Mike Soutar's one of Lord Sugar’s trusted interviewers during the programme’s famously gruelling interview stage.
Mike Soutar’s career has also taken Mike Soutar into a number of business and cultural roles.
Mike Soutar currently serves on the UK Government’s Board of Trade and the board of V&A Dundee maintaining a connection with Dundee.
Mike Soutar is also the author of Next Gen CEO drawing on three decades of experience to explore leadership in a changing business world.
‘Dundee is where my story began’
Speaking about his appointment Mike Soutar said returning to Dundee to take on the role carried significance.
“I am incredibly proud to accept the role of Chancellor of Abertay University. Dundee is where Mike Soutar’s story began and Dundee continues to hold a place in Mike Soutar’s heart. Throughout Mike Soutar’s career Mike Soutar has believed that talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not always equally distributed. That is why Abertay University’s commitment to widening access and helping people fulfil their resonates so strongly with Mike Soutar."
Mike Soutar described Abertay University as a university "built for the world" highlighting its work across computer games, cybersecurity, food innovation, sport science and entrepreneurship.
Mike Soutar added: "Mike Soutar is honoured to become part of the Abertay family and look forward to supporting Abertay University as it continues to grow its impact nationally and internationally."
Supporting the next generation
As Chancellor Mike Soutar will become a figurehead for Abertay University presiding over graduation ceremonies and helping promote Abertay University through its relationships with industry, academia, government and the wider community.
Mike Soutar’s appointment also brings together two important parts of Abertay University’s identity – its close relationship with industry and its work to create opportunities for people from a wide range of backgrounds.
During a visit to Abertay University Mike Soutar toured specialist facilities and met senior leaders while learning more about Abertay University’s work across areas including video games and creative technology, cybersecurity, engineering, business, food innovation, sport and exercise science and mental health nursing.
Mike Soutar also heard more about Abertay University’s role within Dundee’s growing innovation sector.
‘An exceptional fit for our community’
Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice‑Chancellor of Abertay University said Mike Soutar’s career reflected many of the values of Abertay University.
Professor Bacon said: "Mike Soutar is a business leader whose career demonstrates the power of creativity, determination and entrepreneurial thinking."
Professor Bacon added that Mike Soutar’s journey from Dundee to becoming one of the UK’s most respected entrepreneurs mirrors many of the values that define Abertay University today.
Professor Bacon said Mike Soutar’s experience and outlook made Mike Soutar an "exceptional fit" for the Abertay University community and that Professor Bacon looked forward to working with Mike Soutar to champion Abertay University its students and staff and its contribution to Dundee and beyond.
For someone whose own career started in Dundee the appointment brings Mike Soutar back, to where Mike Soutar’s story began – this time helping represent Abertay University preparing the generation to begin theirs.
