New Entrepreneur in Residence starts work at FVC

A new Entrepreneur in Residence at Forth Valley College has started work to enhance entrepreneurial focus and strengthen enterprise and innovation among students and staff.

Professor Kirsty Thomson-Gillespie, leads the way at FVC on a programme that forms part of the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint, supporting the drive to make entrepreneurship a core life skill across education and helping colleges prepare students for Scotland’s future economy.

Five entrepreneurial champions have been appointed across the country through the programme and will work with colleges by offering expert advice to students and staff, helping them to develop business skills, nurture ideas and connect with Scotland’s wider innovation support organisations.

Each champion will work with a group of colleges, building on existing strengths and creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth and FVC will form part of he META-preneur group along with West Lothian College and Edinburgh College.

Professor Kirsty Thomson-Gillespie, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)/ Metapreneur, said: “I’m excited to work with the colleges to help students and staff unlock that potential. Through the META-preneur project, we’ll demonstrate that entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for people starting businesses, it’s a mindset that helps learners spot opportunities, solve real problems and create impact.”

Suzanne Galloway, FVC’s Learning Teaching, and Quality Manager, said: “Kirsty is working with us as Entrepreneur in Residence until May 2026, helping us identify ways to embed entrepreneurialism into the curriculum across all subject areas. The aim is to foster a shift in mindset, encouraging students and staff to think and act in an entrepreneurial way, regardless of their discipline.

“This initiative is part of a wider collaboration between Forth Valley College, West Lothian College, and Edinburgh College. Together, we’re building on our existing META skills provision - Learning to Learn, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, and Self-Reflection - and explicitly connecting these capabilities to entrepreneurial thinking and success.”

The photo shows Kirsty (front and centre) being welcomed to her new role at the Falkirk Campus by from left to right Suzanne Galloway, Karyn King Operations Manager in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries, Colin McMurray Vice Principal Business and Innovation, Chris Nisbet, Assistant Client Manager in the Department of Apprenticeships, Skills and Commercial, Sarah Higgins, Vice Principal Learning and Student Experience, Helen Leslie, Director of Curriculum for the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities and Caroline Hogg, FVC’s Head of Apprenticeships in the Department of Apprenticeships, Skills and Commercial.