Pinar will lead and shape how students across the University are supported in pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions.
World leading academic, Professor Pinar Ozcan, has been appointed as the new Academic Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
The role will see Pinar lead and shape how students across the University are supported in pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions, through an exceptional experiential learning experience, with a focus on innovation.
Pinar is currently Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Saïd Business School and Director of Oxford Future of Finance and Technology Initiative. She is frequently recognised in global awards, from 2021’s Global Women in Fintech Powerlist, to the top 40 Business School Professors under 40 by Poets and Quants in 2017. She was recently named on the global Thinkers 50 list for emerging thinkers with the potential to make lasting contributions to management theory and practice.
Maria Zubeldia, Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, said: ‘Pinar is a world-class, award-winning academic who brings a huge breadth of experience, knowledge and talent to this crucial role. She is an exceptional appointment and we are really excited to have her on board. I very much look forward to working closely with her as we shape the academic offer for students with entrepreneurial ambitions at our School and across the University.’
Pinar took over from Professor Thomas Hellmann earlier this month. He held the role for the last eight years and was transformational in building and developing many entrepreneurship initiatives the centre is currently working on. Thomas remains the Academic Lead for the School’s Creative Destruction Lab.
Maria added: ‘Thomas has been a superb Academic Director and an incredible colleague who has delivered so much for our students over the last eight years. I look forward to seeing Pinar build on his impressive legacy.’
Commenting on her appointment, Pinar said: ‘Saïd Business School has a formidable track record of both entrepreneurship research, teaching and engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems. I am looking forward to working with Maria and the amazing team at the Entrepreneurship Centre to spotlight and celebrate our entrepreneurship successes and to amplify the voice of entrepreneurship at Oxford.’
Pinar specialises in strategy, entrepreneurship, and technology markets. Her current research includes artificial intelligence and business models in fintech, open banking, digital disruption, and the rise of big tech platforms. Her work experience also includes management consulting at Siemens Corporation in Munich, Germany, and strategy consulting with technology ventures and venture capital firms in the Silicon Valley. She also provides teaching for several curriculum including Executive Diplomas and MBA and Executive MBA modules.