About

Alexandra Charles is the Interim Head of Derby International Business School at the University of Derby, providing strategic leadership across the school’s full range of academic programmes, partnerships, and professional engagement. She oversees a vibrant community of staff, students, and industry partners united by a shared ambition to drive innovation, enterprise, and responsible leadership.

Since joining the University in 2016, Alexandra has played a pivotal role in advancing the school’s national and international accreditations, including the achievement of the Chartered Association of Business Schools’ Small Business Charter, EFMD Programme Accreditation, and PRME, and progression towards AACSB, embedding a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Her leadership continues to position the school as an industry-engaged business school, committed to delivering real-world impact and preparing graduates who are ready to shape the future of business and society.

With over 30 years of senior leadership and academic experience, Alexandra’s expertise includes strategic management accounting, risk management, and global supply chain management. She has led key regional initiatives such as the Top 200 Businesses in Derbyshire Listing and the Help to Grow: Management Programme, reinforcing the school’s role in supporting SME resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Under her leadership, the school enters a new era in its purpose-built home, the Cavendish Building — a world-class facility designed to foster collaboration and partnership through cutting-edge teaching, digital, and enterprise spaces. Recent initiatives include the appointment of Theo Paphitis as Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship and the establishment of the Institute of Carbonomics, driving forward the school’s commitment to sustainability and entrepreneurial excellence.

Beyond the University, Alexandra holds several influential external positions. She is Vice Chair of both the Chartered Association of Business Schools’ Small Business Charter Management Board and the Executive Education Committee, helping to shape the national agenda for business school engagement with industry. She is also a co-opted member of the CBI East Midlands Regional Council, contributing to regional economic and business policy discussions.

Teaching responsibilities

Throughout her academic career, Alexandra has taught across all levels of higher education, from undergraduate programmes to postgraduate and professional development. Her expertise spans Accounting for Managers, Strategic and Financial Decision Making, Risk Management, Global Supply Chain Management, and Strategic Management Accounting — disciplines that are critical to developing agile leaders capable of navigating an increasingly complex and interconnected world. She currently delivers the Financial Management module on the school’s Help to Grow: Management Programme, equipping SME leaders with the tools to drive sustainable growth and resilience.

Beyond teaching, Alexandra plays an active role in shaping the student learning journey, emphasising the integration of academic theory with real-world practice. She takes particular pride in supervising a diverse range of learners — from undergraduate placement students to postgraduate dissertation and in-company project participants — helping them to develop the analytical, strategic, and decision-making skills that employers demand in the global marketplace. This breadth of engagement reflects her commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only work-ready but also future-ready: confident, adaptable, and capable of making a meaningful impact in their organisations and wider society.

Professional interests

An aptitude for numeracy and business first led Alexandra towards accounting as a student, progressing through the completion of her ACCA qualification and ultimately into a career in academia. Over the course of her academic journey, she has undertaken a variety of leadership and academic roles, including Postgraduate Academic Practice Officer, Programme Leader across multiple master’s programmes, Strategic Resource Planner, and Head of Department of Accounting and Finance. In 2016 she joined the University of Derby as Head of Derby Management School, overseeing postgraduate academic and strategic development alongside externally funded business support programmes. Following this, she became College Head of Accreditations, Executive Education and Enterprise Development, a role focused on driving forward the college’s global reputation, accreditation success, and impact on business practice and regional growth. Most recently Alexandra has become the Interim Head of Derby International Business School.

Research interests

Her areas of expertise span two distinct disciplines: Global Supply Chain Management and Corporate Performance. Since 2012, she has played a leading role in the Top 200 and Top 500 publications in the East Midlands, at various times overseeing all three regional Business Listings for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. She has led various highly successful ERDF and ESF teams — including the Enscite project and Decarbonisation project — both of which made a significant and lasting impact on the local region. As well as overseeing the Help to Grow Management programme, continuing her commitment to supporting regional business growth and development.

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Affiliate Member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
• MSc Accounting
• ACCA