Imperial College Business School welcomes its new Dean 

Professor Peter Todd, renowned expert in organisation, management and information technology, begins his role as Dean of Imperial College Business School.

Imperial College Business School is delighted to announce that Professor Peter Todd has officially commenced his role as the new Dean, effective today (2 September 2024). Professor Todd brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished academic career to the Business School, promising to lead it into an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation.

With a background in information technology and innovation management, Professor Todd has held several senior academic roles across Europe and North America. He previously served as Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University in Canada and most recently as the Director General (CEO) and Dean of HEC Paris.

His extensive expertise in information technology and management, and experience in university fundraising will be invaluable as he takes on this leadership role at Imperial College Business School.

Education and research for business and society

Commenting at the time of his appointment, Professor Todd said: “I am thrilled to be joining Imperial College Business School. Imperial is an exceptional global institution with an unsurpassed reputation for research excellence and a unique entrepreneurial spirit.

"I am particularly drawn to the determination of the university and its business school to tackle big questions that foster a healthy, smart, sustainable and resilient society through innovative and entrepreneurial approaches that bridge business with science, engineering and medicine."

Professor Todd has held several senior academic roles across Europe and North America

He continued: “The big questions for business are the big questions facing society. Climate and sustainability, health and wellness, AI and autonomous technology, income inequality, diversity and inclusion, and building resilient societies. In this regard, business research and teaching need to bring a broader lens. The answers to these questions will only be found by working across boundaries, bringing together experts in business, with science, engineering and medicine. Imperial and its business school are uniquely positioned to tackle such issues in 2024 and beyond.”

Professor Ian Walmsley, Provost of Imperial College London, said of Professor Todd's appointment: “Peter brings a wealth of experience of leading globally oriented, internationally prominent business schools in Europe and North America. He is the ideal person to lead Imperial College Business School into its next era.

Professor Todd succeeds Professor Franklin Allen, who took up the role of Interim Dean of the Business School in September 2023, following the departure of Professor Francisco Veloso.

"Challenge and opportunity”

Professor Todd first moved to Europe in 2015 for his role heading up HEC Paris. In a recent video interview with the Business School, he said “challenge and opportunity” were what tempted him to this side of the Atlantic: “The challenge of figuring out how to work in a different culture, working with different languages, working with different people, and the opportunity to embrace the culture, richness and diversity of Europe.”

The importance he places on diversity extends to the role of EDI in education: “Every time we get more diverse, we get better... If you want to discover, if you want to invent new things, if you want to find new things, you need different perspectives and different approaches.

"I am particularly drawn to the determination of the university and its business school to tackle big questions"

“Diversity makes us stronger. And if diversity is going to work, people have to feel like they belong.”

As the first member of his family to experience higher education, Professor Todd worked in a cement plant in British Columbia to pay his way through university. He received his undergraduate degree from McGill University, returning 20 years after graduating to be Dean of its business school.

In his spare time, Professor Todd enjoys reading, salmon fishing – as an “excuse to be out in nature” – and following US politics.

To find out more about Professor Todd, you can watch the full Q&A here