Head of EMEA at AlixPartners is appointed by Aston University as Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow and Senior Advisor for Digital Technologies

09 October 2024

LONDON (October 9, 2024) - AlixPartners, the global consulting firm, has today announced that Rob Hornby, Head of EMEA at AlixPartners and leading expert in technology strategy, digital transformation and complex implementation, has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow and Senior Advisor for Digital Technologies at Aston University. 

The honorary appointment will see Rob supporting the University’s key strategic activities in digital innovation and contributing to the external advisory board in digital technologies. He will also be contributing to the university’s 2030 Strategy, which seeks to further enhance its standing as a leading university of science, technology and enterprise.

Rob’s career spans technology start-ups, FTSE 100 corporates and global consultancies. He has extensive industry experience in both the Media and Financial Services industries, and specifically in the FinTech sector. He previously acted as Interim Executive at Worldpay in the roles of Chief Transformation Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief Separation Officer, during its carve-out from RBS. Rob also held the role of CIO during the transition of the legacy Skandia business, which was part of the Old Mutual Group, to a modern InsureTech company. 

Rob is a member of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of Growth and has recently published an academic paper on the philosophy of generative AI. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in management and computer science from Aston University and a postgraduate degree in humanities from Durham University.

Commenting on the appointment, Rob Hornby, Head of EMEA at AlixPartners, said: 

“I began my career as a management and computer science undergraduate at Aston University in 1988 and it is a wonderful honour to be awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Fellowship in Digital Technologies almost 40 years later. I owe Aston a deep debt of gratitude then and now.

“As someone who has built a career in helping businesses respond to critical challenges driven by digital disruption, I look forward to supporting Aston’s exciting activities in both digital enterprise and digital innovation.”

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, added:

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Hornby to the honorary role of Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow and Senior Advisor for Digital Technologies.

“Rob is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in emerging digital technologies and has been at the forefront of digital transformation in business globally for many years.

“I look forward to working with him and benefiting from his expert advice in support of the ambitions and objectives articulated in the University’s 2030 strategy.”

 

About AlixPartners

AlixPartners is a results-driven global consulting firm that specialises in helping businesses successfully address their most complex and critical challenges. Our clients include companies, corporate boards, law firms, investment banks, private equity firms, and others. Founded in 1981, AlixPartners is headquartered in New York and has offices in more than 20 cities around the world. For more information, visit www.alixpartners.com.

 

About Aston University

For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.

Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.

Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.

Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.

 

Contact:

Pippa Miller-Jennings

+44 7880 502 171

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