Dr David Adkins is an accomplished and strategic academic leader with a strong record of enhancing student experience, driving institutional growth, and providing impactful leadership at Plymouth Business School.

His career is marked by a clear progression through senior management roles, including interim Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of School for several key areas. During his leadership of postgraduate programmes, quality indicators saw sustained improvement; between 2020 and 2024, overall student satisfaction increased from 54.3% to 91%. His strategic vision is further evidenced by leading a major portfolio review, developing and launching new programmes such as an MBA, and overseeing the introduction of January entry points. 

As an educator, he is consistently praised for delivering high-quality, contemporary, and innovative teaching, as evidenced by outstanding student and external examiner feedback.  

Dr Adkins' expertise is recognised within the higher education sector., holding External Examiner posts for Master's and Doctorate programmes at numerous institutions. His research on maritime clusters has also gained international attention, leading to an invitation to present his findings to Innovation Norway.

Combining strategic management, a passion for educational excellence, and significant external standing, Dr Adkins has proven himself to be an asset to the university.

• Fellow of the Regional Studies Association
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

Maritime business, regulation, legislation, policy, and history. Supply chain management, focusing on commercial and procurement management.