Dr Rodney Irwin, Managing Director of Redefining Value and Education at the WBCSD, will collaborate on research and teaching as part of the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business.

Dr Irwin said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be given this opportunity.  LUMS is a world-renowned education and research centre and the innovative and unique Pentland Centre adds to its leadership as a Centre for Excellence in sustainability development and business.  Whilst I look forward to teaching and collaborating in applied research, I also hope to learn a lot from this opportunity and the wonderful faculty and students in Lancaster.”

Within the WBCSD, Dr Irwin is involved in a portfolio of projects designed to advance corporate sustainability reporting and disclosure and to improve management accounting processes to drive responsibility and sustainable decision making within organisations and promote greater investor interest in responsible businesses. He is also responsible for the design, development and delivery of the WBCSD Executive Education Leadership Programme. 

He brings with him a wealth of experience in reporting, internal control, risk management, corporate governance and business and professional ethics in addition to his knowledge and experience in sustainability reporting and the measurement and valuation of externalities.

Prior to joining the WBCSD, he started his career at Ernst & Young and since then has held senior management positions at TNT NV, Motorola and Abbey National.

He holds a degree in Economics (QUB), a Masters in Management (BCU) and another in Sustainability Leadership (Cantab) and a Doctorate in Corporate Governance and Ethical Decision Making (ISM Paris).

The appointment was brought about thanks to Pentland Centre Director Professor Gail Whiteman’s relationship with the WBCSD, where she is a Professor in Residence.

Professor Whiteman said: “We are thrilled and honoured that Rodney has accepted this position. His commitment to sustainability, business experience and passion for education will be a highly valuable addition to the School.”