IMD business school for management and leadership courses
Dear Friends of IMD,
In 2024, IMD marked another successful year, reaffirming its status as a pioneering force among the world’s leading business schools.
Research and thought leadership reached exceptional academic levels in both output and impact. IMD set a new record for top-tier publications and earned several awards for its publications and faculty.
Additionally, for the first time and thanks to its accreditation as a university institute, a significant grant was secured from the Swiss National Science Foundation for research.
IMD advanced its mission of Real Learning, Real Impact by evolving its programs and learning tools, with a strong focus on AI and technology. The institute was the proud recipient of gold awards for its ground-breaking interactive tool SpheriCO2 and for the custom Sprint program designed for a large multinational client.
Furthermore, significant progress was made in development, which in 2024 led to the establishment of the Douglas Geertz IMEDE 1988 Chair in Geopolitics and Business, and the launch of a new MBA scholarship fund thanks to the IMD/IMEDE MBA Class of 1976.
Throughout 2024, IMD reinforced its deep commitment to advancing sustainability, making concrete steps forward in integrating sustainability into its education, research, partnerships, and operations.
A Multiplier Effect
We strongly believe that IMD generates huge impact compared to institutions with substantially higher budgets, more faculty members, and greater public and private support.
All this is due, in no small part, to the quality and cohesion of the IMD team.
The dedication, hard work, and innovative talent of its staff, faculty, and leadership have been instrumental in delivering the institute’s learning journeys to participants and organizations across the globe. The Board commends their achievements and applauds their unwavering efforts and focus throughout the year.
A new leadership team
At the end of the summer, after eight years at the helm, Jean-François Manzoni stepped down as the institute’s President to continue his distinguished career as a member of IMD’s faculty.
His visionary leadership has deeply transformed the school and was crucial at a time when many educational institutions faced unprecedented disruption and uncertainty. We are ever grateful to Jean-François for his dedication and achievements, which will leave a strong mark for many years.
David Bach officially took over as IMD President on 1 September 2024, after being unanimously appointed by the IMD Supervisory Board based on the recommendation of a search committee, following a well-defined and thorough governance process.
CEO succession is one of the most important tasks that a Supervisory Board needs to fulfill. We are satisfied by the quality of the process followed, and by the smooth transition between Jean-François and David, which took place during the summer. We would like to thank them both for having managed this handover in a very professional way.
David has made a great start in his new role, appointing a strong leadership team and driving IMD’s vision to become, and be recognized as, the world’s most impactful business school.
Changes to the Supervisory Board
In 2024 we also announced the initiation of a succession plan at board level.
As Vice Chairperson and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, we have both decided to step down at the end of 2025 after having served nine and 12 years respectively.
Following the successful transition of the President’s role, we also recognized that this is the right time to put in place a new board leadership as IMD embarks on a new chapter under the new presidency.
Following a smooth process, the IMD Foundation Board unanimously approved the appointment of Jørgen Vig Knudstorp as the new Chair of its Supervisory and Foundation Boards, effective 1 January 2026. Jørgen has been a member of the Foundation Board for 18 years and joined the Supervisory Board in 2022.
He has been a long-term partner of IMD, first as the CEO of LEGO and then as the Executive Chair of LEGO Brands Group and Kirkbi A/S.
Gilbert Achermann, Designated Chair of Sonova, and Chairman of Unilabs and Ypsomed, will serve as Vice Chair. He is an EMBA Class of 2000 alumnus and has served on the Board since 2019. We are confident that IMD’s future is secure under the new leadership.
We would like to thank the loyal community that continues to support IMD, for their confidence in its mission to deliver Real Learning, Real Impact, and in so doing pursue its purpose of challenging what is and inspiring what could be, to develop leaders and organizations for a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive world.
Michel Demaré
Chairman, Foundation and Supervisory Boards
Hanne de Mora
Vice Chairperson, Foundation and Supervisory Boards
