University of Gloucestershire business professor, Neil Towers, has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the field of retail research and scholarship, with an international lifetime achievement award.
Professor Towers, who retired in January 2026 after 12 years at the university, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Colloquium on European Research in Retailing (CERR) – an annual academic conference that brings together leading researchers and scholars from across Europe and beyond, to share research and encourage debate on contemporary issues affecting retailing.
The award is in recognition of his 'distinguished' career spanning more than 30 years, which has seen him hold senior manufacturing roles, work with big name brands and contribute to major international research projects.
Professor Towers joined University of Gloucestershire in 2014, where he established an international reputation for research exploring the relationship between retail marketing and operations management, particularly in supply chain management, agile fashion retailing, sourcing and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Along with other academic positions, he also held senior roles in manufacturing and worked with major retailers and brands including Marks & Spencer, Per Una, Johnstons of Elgin, Schuh and Waitrose.
During his time at University of Gloucestershire, he held a number of research leadership roles, including leading the university’s Applied Business and Technology Research Priority Area, and contributed to major international research projects.
Professor Towers said: 'It is a tremendous honour to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the CERR community. Retail is an extraordinarily dynamic subject area, and it has been a privilege throughout my career to work with researchers, students and industry partners to explore the changes shaping the sector.
'I’m particularly pleased that this award recognises the value of sustained research and collaboration, and I’m grateful to the many colleagues and research partners I have worked with over the years.'
Professor Cathia Jenainati, executive dean for the School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences at University of Gloucestershire, said the institution was 'immensely proud' of Neil's achievements.
'Throughout his time at UoG, Neil made a significant contribution to our research community, combining academic rigour with a strong commitment to research that engages with industry and delivers real-world impact', Professor Jenainati said.
'This award is a fitting recognition of the international standing and enduring impact of Neil’s work, and reflects the high-quality research and scholarship that he helped to foster within the school.'
