Biography
Biography
Dr. Tolu Olarewaju has taught, researched, and practiced entrepreneurship, international business, and business management for over a decade. Tolu started his first business while studying for a BSc (Hons) in Economics at Babcock University. Upon graduation, he joined Zenith Bank Plc and placed first in the National Trainee Orientation Programme, where he also received the award for Most Outstanding Team Player. He left Zenith Bank in 2009 to pursue his MSc in International Economics at the University of Birmingham, where he was a founding president of the Hip Hop Society and served as a student representative. Tolu holds a PhD from Aston Business School, Aston University, where he served as a Sessional Lecturer, Research Assistant, and held various roles to enhance the student learning experience with the Students Union.
From 2016 to 2021, Tolu was a lecturer at Staffordshire University, serving as Course Leader for the MSc International Business Management, Foundation of Arts & Business Management, and BA (Hons) Business Management (Top Up) programs, and was awarded a Teaching Excellence Fellowship in 2018.
Currently, Tolu is the Director of Student Recruitment for Keele Business School. He was a Business Enterprise Fellow and Co-Research Cluster Lead for the People, Organisations, Enterprise, and Technology (POET) research cluster from 2021 to 2023. He also served as the Research Seminar Coordinator for the Business School from 2023 to 2024 and remains active in consulting for businesses.
Tolu is an external examiner for Essex Business School at Essex University, the Faculty of Business and Law at Coventry University, and Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University. He received the Academy of Management award in 2015 for “Best Reviewer” in the Entrepreneurship Division, and in 2022, his paper won "One of the Best Paper Awards" in the Social Issues in Management Division. His joint paper was also one of the ISBE 2023 best paper finalists.
Tolu teaches courses in international business management, commerce, and business strategy. His work has received sponsorship from the British Academy and Midlands Innovation, highlighting its impact and significance. Tolu’s research focuses on poverty reduction, anti-corruption efforts, entrepreneurship, international business, and the application of technology, as well as areas encompassing social, labor, regional, and general economics. His work often emphasizes policy implications, particularly in corruption reduction and economic development, and he regularly publishes in top academic journals. He has also contributed to the Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond academia, Tolu is the President of the Staffordshire Black Business Network, an organization he founded to support and amplify the voices of Black-owned businesses in Staffordshire. His leadership in this role reflects his commitment to empowering underrepresented communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Tolu also brings substantial industry experience to his work, having served as both a banker and an entrepreneur. His professional background enhances his academic contributions, offering practical insights into the real-world challenges of business and economics.
Education and Certifications:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy (University of Cambridge)
- PhD Management (Aston University)
- MSc International Economics (University of Birmingham)
- BSc Economics (Babcock University)
- Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI)
- Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
- Certified Management & Business Educator (CMBE)
- Acting for Beginners Certificate (The Birmingham Theatre School)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Higher Education (Aston University)
- Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (Aston University)
- Certificate in Information Technology (NIIT)
Tolu enjoys art and philosophy and has eclectic research interests; you can see more in the research and scholarship section.
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