
ESCP’s Paris Campus is one of six ESCP European campuses. It also has a branch campus in Dubai. Courtesy photo
You’ve officially been in the deanship for about a year and a half. What were some of your big goals when you started, and where do you think you are now with that vision?
ESCP is the oldest business school in the world, and it has the values of humility. I like to use the metaphor of a beautiful lady who has been asleep, and now it’s time to awaken her. This means we have so many strong foundations and great things to offer, and we need to show the world, especially the students, that ESCP is one of the most attractive schools.
My ambition is to anchor ESCP among the top business schools in the world. When you look at rankings like the Financial Times, we are doing well, which is a recognition of our success. But success is a journey, not a destination. For us, it’s not about reaching an endpoint; it’s about constantly improving and seeing how we compare to the rest of the world.
We are committed to showing that we have a unique model based on European values. I like to say we have European roots with a global impact. While ESCP started as a French business school, we are now more of a Pan-European business school. I want to highlight this uniqueness.
Each of our campuses is locally recognized, meaning we can award local degrees. For example, in France, we provide French degrees recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education. In Germany, we are a German university, and we can grant degrees from bachelor’s to PhD.
And now, since September, we are the first school outside the United Kingdom that can grant British degrees.This is unique. No other business school in the world can do this outside the UK. Now, if you spend a semester in London on our ESCP campus, you can also get our British degree.
And what is the significance of that capability?
First, in terms of academic excellence, you have to comply with the local national academic requirements, and each country has its own standards. The UK, Germany, and Italy all have different academic excellence requirements, so it’s quite unique.
The second point is that for international students, ESCP is a sponsor. This means that with the visa we provide, students can work while they study. It’s not just a student visa for studying; when you graduate from ESCP in London, you can immediately work there. You don’t have to wait for company sponsorship, which can take one or two years. You can directly work in the country where you graduate, and this is especially beneficial for international students, particularly those from outside Europe.
Do some students specifically choose ESCP in those countries for that reason?
Exactly. For example, we have many Indian students graduating in Berlin. I wondered why so many Indian students were choosing to study there, especially MBA and DBA students. They told me it’s because they want to work in Germany. With our visa, they can get a work permit without needing company sponsorship.
Do you have plans to expand to other countries as well?
Yes, and you’re the first to hear this because I haven’t informed our communications team yet. We just received the news, that we are now accredited in the UAE.
Oh, wow!
Yes, ESCP can now grant UAE degrees. This is our first accreditation outside of Europe.
We have a branch campus in Dubai for executive education, offering an Executive Master’s in Big Data and Business Analytics. The local agency, the CAA, has just granted us accreditation for both the school and the programs. We’re very happy about that.
So now, in addition to our six campuses in Europe, we have a seventh campus in the Middle East. This is unique, and we’re proud of that.

ESCP students in class in its Paris campus. More than 10,000 students from nearly 140 countries enroll in the school each year.
What else are you looking to accomplish in your first term? What are the big things you want to focus on?
First, of course, I want to improve the student experience, particularly through our unique model of campus rotations. To graduate from ESCP, students must rotate between campuses in Europe. We need to enhance this experience to ensure it adds value to their education.
Second, we must improve the impact of our research. When we talk about research impact, it should serve three dimensions: It must serve society – whether for companies, governments, or any organization – by providing relevant and actionable insights.
It must serve our students and participant learners by offering the skills and expertise they need for the future.
And, something I believe we already do well, is we need to co-create knowledge by publishing in top peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the academic community.
So, these three pillars – serving society, providing relevant expertise to learners, and co-creating knowledge – are essential for impactful research.
ESCP has been around for more than two centuries, accompanying the world through various transformations and crises. Today, we are focusing on three major transformations: ecological, technological, and societal. Societal transformation includes inclusion, diversity, and geopolitics.
How are you focusing on these transformations? What is the framework?
We’re addressing these challenges through five European Institutes under the acronym “LIGhTS.”
The “L” stands for the European Institute in Leadership, which focuses on inclusive and humanistic leadership. Meaning we have to find a unique European leadership model based on humanism. Former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will be involved in this initiative. The institute will function not only as an interface for research but also as a think tank and act tank, inviting all stakeholders – companies, researchers, and governments – to work together.
The second letter, “I,” is for innovation and entrepreneurship. Did you know that the first dean of ESCP, Jean-Baptiste Say, coined the term “entrepreneur?”
Did he really?
Yes, the French term “entrepreneur” originally meant a man who wanted to seduce a woman. Now, it refers to someone – man or woman – who wants to seduce investors. So, Innovation and entrepreneurship are embedded in our DNA.
The “G” in LIGhTS is for geopolitics. We are working with some well-known figures in geopolitics and international relations. We already have an MSc in International Business and Diplomacy, directed by a former ambassador who manages the program.
The “h” stands for our humanistic values, and we emphasize these values across all of our work.
Then you have “T” for technology and deep tech. So we will expand our institute in AI, big data, cyber security, and so on (called the European Center for Digital Competitiveness).
Finally, the “S” stands for sustainability. We have to create new business models that are more circular and regenerative. This is essential for addressing current global challenges.
These five institutes will influence not only our research but also our teaching curriculum. We are translating this impact into expertise, skills, and competencies to ensure our students are prepared for the future. This is the new approach I’ve asked my colleagues to work on.
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