WHO COVID-19 vaccine co-lead appointed to head Business School Advisory Board

Sir Andrew Witty, a World Health Organization Special Envoy, has been appointed chair of the Business School’s Advisory Board.

Currently President of United Health Group and CEO of Optum, a US healthcare leader, Sir Andrew has been appointed alongside three other new members. He will succeed Iain Conn, recently Group CEO of Centrica, who has held the position since 2004.

Sir Andrew will bring with him a wealth of experience of global business and higher education, both through his current roles, and his previous roles as CEO of GlaxoSmithKline and Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. Earlier this year, he was appointed to co-lead the WHO’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts and, in May, he joined the expert advisory group for the UK Government’s Vaccine Task Force. He will take up his position as chair of the Business School’s Advisory Board towards the end of the year.

New Board members

The Business School has appointed three other new members to the 14 member strong Advisory Board, who have taken up their places this term. They are Natasha Foong, a graduate of the Business School’s MSc Management Science programme and co-founder of IncuVest, a technology investment platform; Sara Murray, a technology entrepreneur who founded personal emergency firm buddi.co.uk and is a member of the College Council; and Cindy Rose, CEO of Microsoft UK.

“Andrew joins us as businesses and higher education adapt to the unprecedented social and digital transformations caused by COVID-19. These are challenges to which he will bring a unique insight." Professor Francisco Veloso Dean of Imperial College Business School

Andrew said: “I am delighted to join the Business School Advisory Board and look forward to supporting the Dean, faculty and students in their work and research.”

Professor Francisco Veloso, Dean of Imperial College Business School, said: “Andrew joins us as businesses and higher education adapt to the unprecedented social and digital transformations caused by COVID-19. These are challenges to which he will bring a unique insight. Alongside our other new and existing members, the Business School has access to a broad spectrum of global talent and expertise across a range of industries, which is an invaluable resource as we solidify our position as a leading international business school.

“I would like to thank our departing board members for their critical help and valuable advice over their terms, and in particular Iain Conn for his dedication and invaluable contributions as chair of the Advisory Board for nearly 17 years.”

Iain Conn, the outgoing chair, said: “I am delighted to be handing over the chairmanship of the Advisory Board to Andrew. Imperial College Business School has come a long way over the last 16 years. Under the leadership of Francisco Veloso, previous deans and their teams, the School is now recognised globally, has strong teaching and digital capabilities and deep areas of research specialisation which complement the strengths of Imperial College London, and are aligned to addressing the major challenges and changes facing businesses and society today.”

The Advisory Board offers strategic support and advice to the Business School and its dean. The Board's members are high-level representatives from many different sectors and countries, all of whom have an interest in business education and social change. They offer particular support to the Business School’s Full-Time MBA programme and the Advisory Board Scholarship has seen four students admitted to the programme to date.