HSU announces new Head of School and confirms permanent appointment
Health Sciences University has announced the appointment of a new Head of School and confirmed a permanent Head of School, further strengthening its academic leadership as the University continues its growth and development.
Dr Yetunde Dairo has been appointed to lead the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, while Dr Adetola Adekunle has been confirmed as permanent Head of the Health Business School.
Dr Yetunde Dairo, Head of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Dr Yetunde Dairo joins HSU as an accomplished academic leader, clinician and researcher, bringing over three decades of experience across higher education and healthcare leadership in the UK and internationally.
She joins from Buckinghamshire New University, where she was Associate Professor of Physiotherapy and College Research and REF Lead (Unit of Assessment 3). She has also held senior roles including Interim Deputy Head of School and Research Lead, leading academic development, programme innovation and research growth.
A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a registered partner and Lead Visitor with the Health and Care Professions Council, Dr Dairo has extensive experience teaching and supervising across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.
Her research focuses on physical activity, rehabilitation and health equity for underserved populations, including individuals with intellectual disabilities and neurological impairments. She is also recognised for her leadership in diversity, inclusion and co-created research methodologies.
As Head of School, she will lead the strategic development of the School, with a focus on future-ready healthcare education, research excellence and impactful external partnerships.
Dr Yetunde Dairo said:
“I am delighted to be joining Health Sciences University at such an exciting stage in its growth and development. I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues, students, alumni and external partners to grow an inclusive, future-ready School that is recognised for excellence in education, research and workforce impact. My passion for co-creation, inclusivity and evidence-informed practice will continue to shape how we develop innovative programmes, strengthen research and knowledge exchange, and prepare the next generation of health and rehabilitation professionals to meet the needs of our communities locally and globally.”
Dr Adetola Adekunle, Head of the Health Business School
Dr Adetola Adekunle has been appointed as permanent Head of the Health Business School, having successfully led the School on an interim basis.
She brings extensive experience in higher education, including curriculum development and leadership of professional and executive business management degree programmes.
Prior to joining academia, she worked within financial organisations in both the UK and Nigeria. Her work focuses on employee engagement, development and ethical change management, alongside advisory and training support for SMEs and senior business leaders.
She contributes to national and international professional bodies, including the British Standards Institution and International Organization for Standardization technical committees on International Human Resource Management and Human Capital, and has held leadership roles within Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development branch committee. She also serves as deputy Chair on the External Relations committee of the University Forum for Human Resource Development and Co-Chair of the employee engagement conference etream.
Adetola has contributed to collaborative industry projects, including UKRI Innovate UK-funded work with NHS and local councils focused on mental wellbeing, leadership and business growth.
Her research interests include employee wellbeing, people management, ethical leadership and organisational behaviour, with a particular focus on fertility support in the workplace and the impact of leadership and technology on employee experience.
As Head of the Health Business School, she will continue to lead the School’s growth and development strategically, strengthening its innovative teaching, health business and leadership research and strong industry engagement.
Dr Adetola Adekunle said:
“It’s an honour to have been appointed to continue steering the leadership of the Health Business School. I am passionate about and believe in the power of innovative education, not just as a vehicle for acquisition and application of knowledge, but as an essential catalyst to developing truly inimitable skills to equip individuals’ ability to better manage the complexities of our world. As a business school, we are ambitious and I very much look forward to leading the next growth phase of the school, working with exceptional colleagues across the institution, and the student population in positioning Health Sciences University as a leading epicentre of Health Education nationally and globally.”
Strengthening leadership for future growth
These appointments reflect HSU’s continued commitment to academic excellence, innovation and real-world impact across healthcare, rehabilitation and business education.
The University looks forward to the leadership, expertise and vision that both Dr Dairo and Dr Adekunle will bring to their respective Schools and to the wider University community.
