Tom Cottam

Dr. Tom Cottam is an Associate Professor at Northumbria University, serving as Director for Access and Participation for Business & Law. He leads the multi-award-winning PG Business Clinic, overseeing 700+ projects valued at £3.8M for clients like Nissan and UNESCO. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, digitization, networks, and sustainability, contributing to UN SDGs. He holds a PhD from an AACSB-accredited institution and has secured 11 competitive grants since 2016.

Education:

• PhD in Business and Management Studies (2012–2016), North East of England SMEs study
• MSc in Information Technology (2010–2011)

Research Interests: Dr. Cottam explores how digitization transforms business networks and supports sustainable entrepreneurship. His work bridges academic theory with practical consultancy, emphasizing SME productivity and global mind-set strategies. Key themes include knowledge management, embeddedness in inter-firm ties, and the impact of digital tools on business models.

Awards:

• Teaching Excellence Award (Academy of Marketing, 2018)
• Highly Commended, British Academy of Management Education Practice Award (2017)

Advising & Grants: As Business Clinic lead, he has facilitated £3.8M in consultancy and co-led a 2021 REF case study on SME productivity. He has secured 11 grants since 2016, supporting research into international entrepreneurship and digital innovation.

Labs/Teams: Co-founded Business Clinics in London, Amsterdam, and Doha. Collaborates with global academic networks, including Prof. Piyush Jha on knowledge creation studies.