Dear Alumni,
Happy New Year to you all, and welcome to the first Alumni Newsletter of 2024.
I have now been in the role of Dean for two years. During that time, I have seen significant progress in our School: we have developed our new brand, we have moved into our new building, we have launched exciting new courses, we have hired new world-class faculty, we have produced cutting edge research and we have relaunched in-person events around the world. We also continue to perform very well in many rankings.
But the thing I am most proud of is the continued success of our alumni, who play such an important role in shaping business and their communities around the world.
At the end to 2023 we rose in the Financial Times European Business Schools ranking. We are now 2nd in London and among the top five business schools in the United Kingdom. This was coupled with strong upwards movement in both The Times Good University Guide and The Guardian University Guide rankings. Thank you to everybody who helped us achieve these brilliant results and took the time to provide feedback on your experiences at Bayes.
It was wonderful to meet many of our London-based alumni recently as well, for a tour of the new Finsbury Square building which is now fully operational. It is a magnificent facility that will enhance teaching and consolidate our standing in the heart of the City’s finance and business district.
At the end of the year, we also announced a number of academic promotions in recognition of research endeavours and service to Bayes. On this note, I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Professor Barbara Casu as Bayes’ new Deputy Dean for Faculty. Barbara leads our Centre for Banking Research and has been Head of the Faculty of Finance here since 2021. She will work with colleagues to help foster the best possible culture for research and teaching.
Barbara replaces Professor Caroline Wiertz, who begins a year of sabbatical. Caroline was Deputy Dean for two and a half years, spearheading our name change and tirelessly embedding the new Bayes brand. I am sure you will join me in thanking Caroline for her significant contribution and wishing her well.
Closing the year, the Impact Report 2023 was published, highlighting the stories and successes that are a direct result of the generosity of many of our alumni and supporters. Thank you to everyone who has supported the institution, as without your contributions, we simply would not be where we are today.
Looking ahead we will be hosting a series of upcoming global alumni events very soon, including Beijing and Shanghai in March, and Dubai and Athens in May. We also have our alumni day in London in early June. Please see further details in this newsletter, and I hope to meet many of you.
I am also excited to welcome the newest additions to our thriving network at the Barbican Centre later in January, as we host our next Graduation ceremony. Seeing graduates celebrating their hard-earnt successes with close friends and family is always a wonderful way to begin the year.
During 2024, we will continue to focus on being what has always made us successful for over five decades: being a leading global business school which is deeply rooted in the City of London. We will continue developing world class education, cutting edge research and community building activities. By doing this we continue to create collaborative, adaptable and pro-active professionals and leaders who change business for the better.
I wish you happiness and health in 2024 and hope to see you soon, either here in London or at upcoming event.
Best wishes,
Professor André Spicer
Dean
Bayes Business School