Page 7 - Business Insights 2012-2013

A fter nine years as Principal of the Business School, Professor David
Begg stood down from this post in February 2012. During that time the
School’s income doubled, it rose 45 places in the Financial Times rankings and
established a world class reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship. With a
determination to bring the School into the heart of what Imperial College does, he
developed a close working relationship with other faculties, bringing the wisdom
of business to all of the College’s work.
What do you consider your greatest achievement during your time
as Principal?
I think I leave the Business School in a much better place. Imperial has bought
into our significance, not just as a Business School, but working for and on behalf
of the rest of the College. Our reputation is well-established and our operational
and academic staff continue to do a fantastic job. We now have a highly ranked
Business School that is going to grow and become more successful in the future.
What do you think the Business School will look like in 10 years’ time?
I think it will be integrated even more closely with the rest of the College and
conferring on Imperial students a unique business advantage whatever faculty
they hail from. I also think risk is a huge area of opportunity. At the School,
we have experts who cover risk in a number of areas such as train crashes,
earthquakes and drug failures, but we don’t yet have a means of integrating
all of them in an institute for risk management. Nor do hardly any other
universities in the world. Imperial could be a real international leader in that
field, and the Business School would play a large part in that.
Any words of wisdom for your successor?
Go for it! Imperial is a community, so having good relationships
around the College is as important as having a clear vision of what
you are trying to do. You need to be able to motivate other people
to believe in your vision and, crucially, be able to execute it.
A Principal cannot achieve much single-handedly and a great part
of the effectiveness, but also the pleasure of the job, is the team you
build around you. With a School that is in great shape, it should be a
great challenge for whoever follows.
Farewell to
David Begg
NEWS
Professor David Begg was Principal of the
Business School from 2003 until 2012.
He is currently Professor of Economics at
Imperial College Business School.
Interview by Tanya Gubbay
7 BUSINESS INSIGHTS 2012 – 2013