
ESCP’s Berlin Campus. Because ESCP is locally accredited in each of the countries of its main campuses, students who attend ESCP Berlin can work in Germany without needing an employer sponsor.
What kind of response are you getting from professors, especially the more traditional ones who might question why business schools should care about these broader issues?
The response has been very positive and enthusiastic. We did a call for proposals across all disciplines and received over 140 proposals. This shows that they are keen to be part of this direction because they can see where we want to go and the convergence we are aiming for. Previously, people worked in smaller groups without a unified direction, but now they agree on the dimensions we’ve set for research impact.
As I told them, if we keep working on this path – maybe in 30, 40, or 50 years – we could have our first Nobel Prize in economics. That’s the kind of long-term ambition we need to have. So far, no business school in France has had someone win a Nobel Prize in economics, only engineering schools. I believe we should dream big, and part of that dream is to have ESCP achieve this level of recognition.
With students from 140 countries, how do you foster inclusivity across multiple campuses and nationalities?
Along with entrepreneurship, international relations is part of our DNA. In 1824, one-third of our cohort was international students. They came from 19 countries, including America. Can you imagine that? Even then, international diversity was a key part of who we were.
Now, two-thirds of our students are international, and one-third are French. With globalization, you need to know how to move between cultures and work with different nationalities. I call this the ‘multiculturalism approach,’ and that’s one of the key things students learn at ESCP.
I’m struck by how some of the major global challenges we face now, like climate change and geopolitical tensions, will require world efforts, not just one country. Is that something students learn here, to take solutions back to their home countries and help address these global problems?
Exactly. We’ve been pioneers in areas of ESG and environmental issues since the 1980s when we first started addressing environmental issues. We now have many programs and research centers focused on ESG, particularly climate change. It’s crucial that we educate our international students in these areas so they can take what they learn here and apply it concretely in their home countries.
For example, we focus on transforming current business models into more sustainable – and even regenerative – models. It’s not just about reducing carbon footprints; it’s about having a positive impact on biodiversity. I often say, “No nature, no future.” It’s important for students to understand that sustainability goes beyond carbon reduction – it’s about positively impacting the environment.
We also encourage our students to work with external partners because we don’t know everything. It’s essential to collaborate with experts to find solutions. Our students work within this value chain to ensure that it contributes positively to biodiversity.
Moreover, I’ve asked all of our students, including those in our MBA program, to acquire five mindsets: The first is the ESG mindset, including ethics.
The second is a technology mindset, which I call ABCD: AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation.
The third is an entrepreneurial mindset. The fourth is multicultural.

A student walks into ESCP Madrid Campus.
And the fifth is the hybridization of competencies. This means students should be able to combine knowledge from different disciplines – business school with art school, design, engineering, or defense. We have dual degrees in defense, art, and others. This is important because the world is so complicated, and we need to look at issues from various perspectives.
At ESCP, we provide students with a multi-perspective approach with multi-cultural experiences and multi-expertise education. This hybridization is key to their success in tackling global challenges.
In the U.S., you think of Stanford and Harvard as startup and innovation hubs. I’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurship activity from French business schools. Do you think France could become an entrepreneurial hub as well?
The French have a strong entrepreneurial mindset, but one of the main barriers has been taxation and a lack of flexibility in regulation. President Macron has improved things, introducing more flexibility and agility for starting companies. However, taxes remain high, and the venture capital landscape is more limited compared to the U.S. or Asia. In the U.S., it’s easier to access venture capital and business angels.
However, in France, we do have a growing number of tech unicorns – 34 in total—founded or co-founded by French entrepreneurs. Among those, seven were founded or co-founded by ESCP graduates. So entrepreneurship is very much a part of our DNA. We have incubators like the Blue Factory across our campuses to support this entrepreneurial spirit.
That said, culturally, it has traditionally been more prestigious for graduates from top business schools in France to work for large companies or aim to become CEOs rather than entrepreneurs. But this is starting to change, and we’re seeing more students becoming entrepreneurs. In Europe, compared to the U.S. or Asia, scaling up a startup takes more time. The ideas are there, but many entrepreneurs still seek funding outside of France, in places like the U.S., Asia, or the Middle East.
What do you think is special about an European MBA generally and ESCP MBA specifically?
The U.S. has great MBAs to be sure – Harvard created the MBA program – but there are key differences.
In the U.S., the MBA traditionally used the “T model,” where the first year is for foundational management disciplines and the second year is for gaining expertise. But now, it’s more complicated. The world has changed. Now, you need more of a “table model,” where you need at least two areas of expertise.
We live in a digitalized, fast-moving world. That’s why I think the MBA in Europe, especially at ESCP, is special. First, we teach our students how to decode the world through a broad cultural lens. We bring in experts from various fields. Last week, for instance, we had a conference with a renowned epidemiologist talking about pandemics, and how we can anticipate and predict them. Another upcoming conference is on decarbonization of industry, and then one on AI.
Second, we provide a multicultural approach. Our students have to move between campuses in different countries, which means they are constantly working with different nationalities. This prepares them for a global career because they learn how to navigate cultural diversity on a daily basis.
And third, we focus on geopolitics. It’s important for future leaders to understand global challenges, whether it’s scientific, geopolitical, or environmental. This is part of European and French culture – to educate leaders who have a broader mindset, beyond just their expertise in business.
At ESCP, we emphasize critical thinking and philosophical reflection. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about understanding the world around you and thinking critically about the future. That’s what makes our MBA unique.
ESCP London Campus has been shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher Education UK Business School of the Year award. What do you think it says about ESCP?
2022 to 2023 was a transformative year for growth, impact, and innovation at ESCP across all our European campuses. We are honored to have been shortlisted for this award in the UK, where we excelled in global rankings, expanded our programmes, and fostered a strong commitment among faculty and staff to create an enriching, enjoyable, and rewarding experience.
This recognition reaffirms the outstanding quality and excellence of ESCP’s education and programs across our European campuses.
Like other recognitions such as global rankings and accreditations, it enhances the visibility of the school and strengthens our reputation within the UK and internationally. Coupled with our ability to deliver local degrees on all of our campuses, this achievement demonstrates our commitment to creating a lasting impact in each community, city, and country where we operate.
It not only reinforces our reputation for excellence but also positions us to attract top talent from around the world, providing our graduates with a globally respected credential that will offer them career opportunities all over Europe and the world.
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