Award-winner joins RGU as latest Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence
Tuesday 16 January 2024
Diana Gormley spent over 15-years in industry as an engineer in design, quality and manufacturing, including two years as a physics teacher, before going on to establish her own specialised, ethical clothing company, Always Fun Clothing.
Her venture into ladies and children’s wear came after she participated in the first ever cohort of RGU’s Women in Business programme which aims to help mothers navigate the change in working lifestyle and open up the possibility of entrepreneurship and self-employment. The mother-of-two went on to establish Always Fun Clothing which in 2023 was recognised at the SME Scottish Enterprise Awards (2023).
On her recent appointment as Entrepreneur in Residence, she said: “I am hugely excited to be working with the amazing and inspirational Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group and supporting them in their mission to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.
“I believe that my knowledge and experience will complement the team and I’m confident that I will also learn a lot from them. I look forward to making a positive contribution to both the team and to RGU.”
As part of her role, Diana will work closely with RGU’s award-winning Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG), who are responsible for advancing the University’s vision of being an innovative and impactful institution through the delivery of programmes, events, and initiatives, such as its annual start up accelerator programme.
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) position is funded through the prestigious Royal Society scheme which aims to increase the knowledge and awareness of cutting-edge industrial science, research, and innovation within UK universities.
Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “I’m delighted that RGU has again been awarded a place on this prominent programme. Diana brings a unique blend of industry and entrepreneurial experience which will complement our excellent activities, and the Entrepreneur in Residence position further demonstrates the University’s commitment to entrepreneurship.”
EiR provides opportunities for enthusiastic, highly experienced industrial scientists and entrepreneurs to embed within higher education institutions and foster an entrepreneurial spirit through bespoke projects and an embedded, collaborative approach.
It is the second time that RGU has applied to host a candidate through the Royal Society scheme having previously welcomed ex-BP Vice President Dave Lynch in to the role in 2022.