Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has appointed two senior leaders to newly created roles that will drive forward the University’s ambitions in research excellence, innovation and regional engagement.

Professor Gary Hutchison appointed Vice Principal Regional Innovation and External Affairs

Professor Gary Hutchison has been appointed Vice Principal Regional Innovation and External Affairs. Gary, who has served as Assistant Principal since May 2025, will transition into the new role in the coming weeks, reporting to Vice Principal Nazira Karodia.

A decade of leadership at ENU

Gary previously led the School of Applied Sciences as Dean for ten years from 2015. His appointment follows that of Professor Barlow as ENU continues to reshape its senior leadership team to support its future strategy.

Extensive external and government advisory experience

Gary’s long association with ENU began with his PhD on the toxicology of inhaled particles. He currently leads the Borderlands Region and City Deal Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project and chairs the University Environmental Sustainability Strategy Group.

He has served as an independent scientific advisor to the UK Government for more than 13 years, contributing to the Food Standards Agency Committee on Toxicity, Defra’s College of Scientific Experts, and specialist registers for the FSA and the Office for Product Safety & Standards.

He also plays a significant role in sector‑wide leadership, chairing the Scottish Institute for Policing Research Board of Governance and previously the Edinburgh Exchange Initiative. Gary is a trustee and member of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) Governing Council, and from 2026 is chair on the governance board for the new Scottish Healthcare Built Environment Network (SHBEN).

Driving ENU’s regional innovation agenda

In his new role, Gary will lead ENU’s response to the evolving regional agenda across policy, skills and innovation. By strengthening partnerships and supporting colleagues across the University, he will ensure ENU continues to demonstrate leadership and value to the people of Edinburgh and beyond.

Professor Peter Barlow appointed Dean of Research & Innovation

Professor Peter Barlow has been appointed as ENU’s new Dean of Research and Innovation. Peter, who is currently Interim Dean of the School of Applied Sciences and Chair of Immunology & Infection, and formally commenced the role at the end of March 2026, also reporting to Vice Principal Nazira Karodia.

A long-standing connection to ENU

Peter’s association with Edinburgh Napier spans more than 20 years, beginning with his PhD in 2004. After research roles at the University of Edinburgh and the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in Atlanta, he returned to ENU in 2011. He went on to serve as Director of Research for the School of Applied Sciences from 2015 to 2021 before becoming Interim Dean in 2025. He has also held a role as lead for the University's Centre for Biomedicine and Global Health.

National scientific leadership

Alongside his University roles, Peter contributes extensively to national scientific bodies. He is Chair of the Chief Scientist Office Clinical Academic Fellowship funding panel, an Independent Scientific Advisor on the Food Standards Agency Committee on Toxicity, and an external examiner at the University of Birmingham.

Leading ENU’s Research & Innovation strategy

In his new role, Peter will lead the development of a Research and Innovation strategy aligned to ENU’s long‑term ambitions. Working closely with Schools, Research Centres and Professional Services, he will oversee key areas including REF preparation, researcher development, public engagement, external partnerships and the Doctoral College.