Dr William Casely

William Casely is a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. As Director of the MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management programme, he co-created and now leads this world-class programme in entrepreneurship. He also leads Entrepreneurship education within the MBA programme, combining theory with practice to deliver an immersive and pragmatic education.

Prior to joining the university, William gained 30 years of experience working in the retail industry, 18 of them in senior management roles. Trained at Harrods, he worked with a range of retail names across various sectors, including Debenhams, Bentall’s, Harvey Nichols, and the Otter Retail Group as Managing Director.

While GM of Bentall’s and as Chairman of Kingston Town Management Ltd, he developed one of the earliest town centre management organisations in the country. As General Manager of Harvey Nichols, he became a Group Director at the Oxford Retail Summer School.

With over a decade of practical experience supporting startups, William has developed a practitioner-based expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, and early-stage growth to enhance his research and academic based practice and knowledge. Working directly with founders and early ventures, he brings a results-oriented approach to scaling ideas into sustainable businesses. His work bridges theory with strategy and execution, supporting entrepreneurs as they navigate the complex journey from concept to traction.

William’s research interests lie within the fields of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with a particular focus on ‘Intelligent Failure’ within corporate entrepreneurship. He resides within the Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship department (ITE).

Nationality: British

Administrative Responsibilities: Programme Director, MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation.