, BA (Hons), MA, FHEA
Director
Professor Penny Macbeth joined The Glasgow School of Art in May 2020 as Director and CEO. She is project sponsor for the Mackintosh project and has been instrumental in steering the Strategic Outline Business Case. Penny has comprehensive knowledge and experience of leading strategic activities and developing organisations, with an ability to advocate for creative industries at the highest levels. GSA’s Strategic Plan 2022-27 was developed under her leadership utilising a design innovation led approach to stakeholder engagement.
Penny was previously Dean of Manchester School of Art and Deputy Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts and Humanities focusing on external engagement and partnerships. Penny acted as academic lead for Manchester Metropolitan University’s groundbreaking School of Digital Arts: SODA, and was instrumental in securing £14.9 million of funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Penny is a strong creative and cultural advocate and innovation leader and is regularly invited to join international and UK wide conversations and initiatives in support of creative industries and their importance within all aspects of education. Having been an art and design academic for many years, Penny is committed to developing professionally relevant and transformational learning environments for students. Penny is also a board trustee of Universities Scotland and Castlefield Gallery Manchester.
Penny is an active researcher and maker, her work explores cloth’s potential as a carrier of narrative and catalyst for community empathy and cohesion; research is drawn from artists, practitioners and archival sources.