Western announces Dr. Robert Kennedy as next Dean of Ivey Business School

LONDON, ON, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Following a rigorous international search, Western University today announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) Kennedy as the new Dean of the Ivey Business School. He has accepted a five-year term, which commences October 1, 2013.

Kennedy comes to Western and Ivey immediately following a 10-year career at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business where he has served in multiple roles that include Executive Director of the William Davidson Institute, Director of the Ross School Global Initiative, and the Tom Lantos Professor of Business Administration.

"While Bob's distinguished academic career, leadership experience, and professional background speak for themselves, I can add that his candidacy for Dean enjoyed a strong endorsement from our campus community," says Western's Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Janice Deakin. "We are very confident in Bob's abilities to provide creative and effective leadership for Ivey as it continues to build upon the strength of its reputation as a globally recognized business school."

Prior to his tenure at Michigan, Kennedy was a faculty member at the Harvard Business School from 1995 through 2003.Kennedy holds a PhD in business economics from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Management from MIT's Sloan School of Management, and two bachelor's degrees in political science and economics from Stanford University.

"I am honoured and humbled to be appointed Dean of Western's Ivey Business School," says Kennedy. "Ivey is known as a global leader with commitment to research, teaching and engagement with the real world, particularly in its commitment to Case Method Learning. This is how I've managed my career and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to work with this community of scholars, students, practitioners and alumni."

Recognized as an expert on the globalization of service activities (offshoring) and using business frameworks to address social issues (social enterprise), Kennedy has published more than 110 case studies related to international and emerging market business issues. His teaching materials are employed at business schools around the world, with annual sales figures consistently exceeding 50,000 copies.

Beyond his academic career, Kennedy has consulted privately for dozens of clients on five continents on a range of strategic and executive development issues. He has also held various management positions, dating back to 1984, with firms including Enterprise Investors (Warsaw, Poland), Quantum Associates, Inc. (Lynnfield, MA), and The Chase Manhattan Bank (New York, NY).

"I want to congratulate Provost Deakin and the selection committee for their work in recruiting such an exceptional new dean to our business school," says Western's President and Vice-Chancellor Amit Chakma. "Building on the strong leadership Ivey has enjoyed over the past decade under Carol Stephenson, we are well positioned to continue expanding the reach and impact of our teaching and research on the international stage."

Prior to his decanal appointment taking effect, Kennedy will join Western for the period September 1-30, 2013, in a seconded position as Special Advisor to the Provost. The terms of Kennedy's appointment were advanced at the recommendation of the Senate-appointed Ivey Decanal Selection Committee and have now received the formal endorsement of President Chakma and Western's Board of Governors.

ABOUT WESTERN
Western delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

ABOUT THE IVEY BUSINESS SCHOOL
The Ivey Business School at Western University is Canada's leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provide the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today's complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Development at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.

SOURCE Richard Ivey School of Business

Image with caption: "Dr. Robert Kennedy (CNW Group/Richard Ivey School of Business)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130425_C8778_PHOTO_EN_26017.jpg