Esade Business School
Eight leading European business schools have launched the Alliance for Environmental Responsibility in Business Schools, a network dedicated to reducing their CO2 emissions. AERO is the first collaboration of its kind focused specifically on decarbonising business school operations.
The network’s kick-off meeting took place in February 2025 at Vlerick’s Brussels campus, with attendees encouraged to travel sustainably. Discussions covered key topics like managing emissions, fostering sustainability mindsets, and the role of carbon credits in achieving carbon neutrality.
“While business schools are advancing sustainability in research and programmes, we must also address our own ecological footprint,” says Professor David Veredas, Associate Dean of Sustainability at Vlerick and Chair of AERO.
Member schools are SDA Bocconi (Italy), Esade (Spain), ESSEC (France), Kozminski (Poland), Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden), University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), Vlerick (Belgium), and WHU (Germany).
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS BUSINESS SCHOOL LAUNCHES EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
The University of St Andrews Business School in Scotland has launched its first Executive Education courses in topics such as generative AI, leadership, and value-based healthcare.
“Our vision is to establish the University of St Andrews as a world-leading centre for Executive Education,” says Dean Mark Brewer. “By combining interdisciplinary academic excellence with real-world insights, we will enable individuals and organisations to become more effective and responsible leaders in their fields.”
The new portfolio includes short courses covering leadership, finance, AI, healthcare, and sustainability; consortia programs developed with industry associations and partners; and custom programs tailored to specific organizational needs. Participants will benefit from the university’s six centuries of academic excellence combined with cutting-edge innovation.
FRANKFURT SCHOOL REAL ESTATE PROGRAMS RECEIVE RICS ACCREDITATION
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management has secured Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation for its Master in Real Estate and part-time Executive Diploma in Real Estate Economics programs. RICS is recognized as a key global qualification in the property industry.
“The accreditation of the Master in Real Estate programme and the part-time Executive Diploma in Real Estate Economics by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a significant milestone for us,” says Kerstin Hennig, professor of practice in real estate management and academic director of real estate executive education. “This award not only confirms the high quality of the study programmes, but also opens up valuable opportunities and career prospects for students in the international real estate sector.”
Students in these programs gain access to RICS’ global network of more than 130,000 members across 140 countries. The curriculum covers topics including investment structuring, project development, sustainability, digitalization, and ethics, with real-world applications emphasized through case studies and industry collaborations.
ESSEC & ACCENTURE LAUNCH ‘AI FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP’ INITIATIVE
To mark the 10th anniversary of the ESSEC Accenture Strategic Business Analytics Chair, ESSEC Business School and Accenture have launched the “AI for Responsible Leadership” initiative. Supported by partners Optic 2000 and Saur, the initiative aims to equip leaders with the skills to use artificial intelligence ethically and effectively in addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
Wilfried Sand
“Technical subjects are continuing to shake up business schools, and AI has opened up opportunities for collaboration between partner companies, researchers, and other members of the ecosystem,” says Abdelmounaim Derraz, executive director of the ESSEC Metalab. “Our goal is to accelerate to deliver positive impact alongside our partners, and to inspire our students to do the same in their careers and lives.”
The initiative will feature a new barometer to measure AI’s impact on leadership, industry workshops, academic publications, and an annual Grand Prix to recognize innovative AI projects. Through its interdisciplinary approach, ESSEC and Accenture seek to foster collaboration between business leaders, policymakers, and educators.
The French business school has also named Wilfried Sand as the new academic director of its Grande École – Master in Management program. Sand, an economics professor and head of ESSEC’s Economics Department, has a strong background in industrial economics, market regulation, and incentive theory. Prior to joining ESSEC in 2020, he spent 14 years at the Toulouse School of Economics and held visiting positions at Tor Vergata and Humboldt universities.
“I am truly honored to take on the role of Academic Director of ESSEC’s Grande École / MiM Program,” Sand says. “As organizations and societies continue to face significant environmental, technological, and geopolitical challenges, it is more important than ever to equip our students with the tools to make informed, impactful decisions.”
DURHAM UNIVERSITY APPOINTS KIERAN FERNANDES AS EXECUTIVE DEAN FOR BUSINESS
Kieran Fernandes
Durham University has appointed Professor Kieran Fernandes as the new executive dean for business, effective April 2025. Currently serving as associate pro-vice-chancellor for development and engagement at Durham, Fernandes brings over 20 years of experience in academic leadership, research, and strategic development. He previously held faculty positions at the Universities of Warwick and York before joining Durham in 2013.
“Durham University Business School is renowned for its academic excellence and global impact,” Fernandes say. “Building on the School’s strong foundations, I look forward to working collaboratively with our exceptional community to foster innovation, inspire future leaders, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Kieran is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and of the Wolfson Research Institute and was the Executive Director of the Northern East LEP Innovation Observatory. He currently sits on a range of advisory panels and is an Academic Advisory Council member of the Chartered Management Institute.
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