Imperial Business School welcomes new faculty for 2026–27
From AI and healthcare to entrepreneurship and finance, our new faculty bring global expertise, fresh perspectives and real-world impact to Imperial.
Imperial Business School is delighted to announce a new cohort of academic, research and teaching staff for the 2026–27 academic year, bringing new expertise and perspectives to our community at the intersection of business, science and technology.
Joining across the School’s four departments – Analytics, Marketing & Operations, Economics & Public Policy, Finance, and Management & Entrepreneurship – the new faculty are exploring some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing business today, from AI and healthcare to financial markets, entrepreneurship and organisational change. Together, they will strengthen Imperial’s distinctive approach to connecting business with science, technology and real-world impact.
Analytics, Marketing & Operations
Alireza AmaniHamedani is joining as Assistant Professor of Analytics & Operations in January 2027. Currently, a final-year PhD candidate in Management Science & Operations Research at London Business School, his research explores how data and optimisation can improve complex decisions, with applications ranging from organ donation and ride-sharing to emergency response systems. His recent work also examines markets powered by AI agents and their potential for operational decision-making.
“It is my great privilege to join Imperial Business School and the wider community of Imperial College London. As we enter a new era shaped by artificial intelligence, I look forward to collaboration across disciplines to advance the research and training we need for the world ahead.”
Economics & Public Policy
Dr Ameet Morjaria is joining as an Associate Professor of Economics & Public Policy in January 2027, moving from MIT Sloan School of Management, where he is currently a Senior Lecturer in Applied Economics. His research examines organisations in development, focusing on two themes: the organisation of firms and markets, and the organization of the state. Recent studies explore quality incentives in global supply chains, commodity market design, nation-building and the politics of the environment.
“What excites me most about joining Imperial is its combination of world-leading scholarship and a commitment to bringing together science, technology and business to address society’s most important challenges. It is exactly the kind of environment in which I want to do my best work.”
Professor Elena Pizzo returns to Imperial as Chair in Health Economics and Evaluation, a joint appointment between the School of Public Health and Business School. A health economist with more than 20 years’ experience, her research examines the value of healthcare interventions and innovations, spanning cancer, mental health, digital health and public health. Having previously worked at Imperial Business School, she is looking forward to building collaborations across economics, healthcare, clinical research and public policy.
“What excites me most about being back at Imperial is being part of a unique STEMB university, where economics and business come together with science, technology and medicine. I’m particularly motivated by the opportunity to build on these connections to translate research and innovation into better decisions and meaningful impact for patients, populations and society.”
Finance
Dr Charles Parry joins as an Assistant Professor of Finance, where his research focuses on entrepreneurial finance, innovation and how firm grow and evolve. He holds a PhD in Economics and an MPhil in Economic Research from the University of Cambridge and has previously worked at the European Central Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
“I’m excited to join Imperial’s excellent Finance group and work with its students. Imperial brings together deep expertise in finance with a wider community of scientists and entrepreneurs, making it an ideal place to study how innovative young firms raise capital.”
Professor Elikplimi K. Agbloyor joins as Provost’s Visiting Professor of Finance and Risk Management, from the University of Ghana Business School, where he is Professor of Finance and was Coordinator (Associate Dean) for International Relations and Accreditation. His research spans financial intermediation, financial stability, digital finance, AI and development finance, with a focus on emerging and frontier markets. His work has been published in leading international journals and has informed research and policy discussions on banking, financial inclusion, FinTech and institutional development. He is an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a Financial Risk Manager.
“This role offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the world's leading researchers across the Business School and the wider Imperial research ecosystem. I look forward to advancing research on AI, financial intermediation, digital finance, and financial stability that addresses important global challenges and informs policy and practice.”
Dr Farouk Jivraj joins as Senior Teaching Fellow and Co-Director of the Imperial Student Investment Fund. An Imperial alumnus, he brings extensive experience across quantitative investing and academia, having held senior roles at Fidelity Investments and Barclays Investment Bank. He began his career as a propulsion engineer before completing his PhD in Financial Economics at Imperial, bringing a unique perspective across science, technology and finance. His current research examines risks in liquid alternative investment strategies and the role of AI in the design and management of investment strategies.
“Having undertaken my undergraduate, master's and PhD at Imperial, now joining faculty feels like coming home. I'm looking forward to helping develop the student-learning experience, as well as teaching and continuing to conduct cutting-edge research. Having sat at the intersection of science, technology and business throughout my career in finance, I'm excited to foster and advance this same intersection whilst at Imperial.”
Management & Entrepreneurship
Omar Mir, Baron of Thorntoun, joins as Visiting Professor of Practice in Management & Entrepreneurship. He has been a member of the School’s Advisory Board since October 2025 and leads the Technology Leaders Speaker Series, bringing global technology voices to Imperial to explore the forces shaping the future, from AI and sustainability to health and security. With a career spanning academia, government and industry, Omar works at the intersection of technology, governance and business, and serves as the International Board Member of World Wide Technology, the International AI Advisor of HM King Charles III's The King's Trust International and Strategic Advisor to Commandant of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“I’m excited to work with Imperial at a time when technology is reshaping every part of society. I look forward to continuing my work on the Advisory Board as well as connecting students and faculty with the leaders shaping that future and exploring how innovation can translate into real-world impact.”
Dr Alexis Avery joins as Assistant Professor in Management and Entrepreneurship. After more than a decade working in the US federal government, she brings a distinctive perspective on workforce and organisational challenges. Her research explores how history and societal change shape workplace experiences, including skin tone disparities, identity, organisational decision-making and emerging workplace technologies.
“I’m excited about joining a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and truly global community. Imperial’s commitment to cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and research with real-world impact creates many opportunities to collaborate across fields and tackle important problems in new ways. I’m particularly excited by the international student body and Imperial’s global partnerships, which create unique opportunities for global business education and research.”
Dr Robin Bagchi joins as Professor of Practice, Sales & Enterprise, bringing his extensive experience as an investment banker and more recently, a private equity and venture capital investor, where he remains active. At Imperial, he works closely with industry, investors and founders, while teaching sales and entrepreneurship. Robin is Chair of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Responsible Leadership at Imperial Business School and teaches the MBA elective he designed, “The Psychology of Sales: Mastering the Mindset to Drive Results.” His new book, "Outcomes" based on the elective is due to be published by Wiley in Spring/Summer 2027.
“I am most excited to be joining Imperial to help support the excellent work already underway in translating Imperial's innovation and ideas into real-world ventures and impact, and to give students the tools and exposure to enhance their career paths.”
Dean's Office
Professor Darren Meister joins as Vice-Dean (Education) and as Professor of Teaching in Management & Entrepreneurship. He joins from Ivey Business School at Western University in Canada, where he was Associate Dean, Programs. His research focuses on design thinking, technology-based entrepreneurship and how technology can enhance organisational effectiveness and innovation.
“I'm at Imperial because it combines a world-class business faculty and staff with a culture of excellence embedded in a leading STEM institution located in a truly global city. This creates unique interdisciplinary opportunities unavailable elsewhere, and that prospect drew me here.”
Academic promotions
Alongside welcoming new colleagues, the Business School is also celebrating four academic promotions, recognising the achievements and contributions of colleagues working across economics, analytics, marketing and behavioural science.
Professor Mirabelle Muûls, Professor of Economics
Professor Mirabelle Muûls is Convening Co-Director of Imperial’s School of Convergence Science and Co-Director of the Hitachi-Imperial Centre for Decarbonisation & Natural Climate Solutions. Her research focuses on the economics of climate change, energy use and decarbonisation. She was awarded the President’s Medal for Excellence in Education in 2019.
Dr Zhe Liu, Associate Professor of Analytics & Operations
Dr Zhe Liu’s research focuses on revenue management, sharing economy platforms and supply chain management. He serves as PhD Director for the Analytics & Operations group and as Associate Editor for Decision Sciences, and has received multiple awards for his research.
Dr Stijn Maesen, Associate Professor of Marketing
Dr Stijn Maesen researches how marketing actions by retailers and manufacturers affect firm performance and societal outcomes. His work has appeared in leading marketing journals and Harvard Business Review, alongside recognition through several research awards.
Dr Michael Yeomans, Associate Professor of Behavioural Science
Dr Michael Yeomans studies how language technology can help us understand and improve conversational decision-making. His research has received international recognition, including the International Association for Conflict Management Technology Innovator Award and multiple best paper awards.
These promotions recognise the continued contribution of colleagues whose research, teaching and leadership are helping shape the Business School’s academic community.
