inclusion. Referencing philosopher Jacques Derrida’s concept of absolute hospitality, Tabari explained that we need to consider “how we are welcoming strangers to our homes, communities, universities and countries.” Collaborating for climate change “Partnering with industry to achieve large-scale change” was the theme of the final session of the conference, detailing a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh Business School and UK bank NatWest Group. Sarah Birrell Ivory, former associate professor of climate change and business strategy at the university, and Clare Martin, head of capability for the commercial & institutional business at NatWest Group, talked the audience through this award-winning project focused on internal climate education and cultural transformation. The primary goal of the multi-year partnership was to equip some 63,000 NatWest Group employees with the knowledge, skills and confidence to address climate change, with the idea of embedding a shared language and understanding of the concept throughout the organisation. The training included general awareness-raising content for all staff, as well as specialist, role-specific and technical learning for those in priority positions. The programme helped employees to understand how their specific jobs could contribute to combatting climate change, as well as how to have meaningful conversations with customers about the transition to a net‑zero economy. The collaboration received significant recognition for its impact: it was acknowledged as Best Business School Partnership at the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards earlier this year and also led to the development of the Centre for Purpose‑Driven Innovation in Banking. This is a further collaboration between NatWest and the University of Edinburgh that aims to use banking data for societal good. Talking about the nature of collaboration with industry, Ivory remarked that the most important question for business schools to ask with regards to any new project is “Why?” “Management education needs to be more responsive and challenge preconceptions”, she added, urging schools to show a “willingness to learn, experiment and trust”, have “flexible expectations” and be ready to “tear up [the notion of] ‘how it’s always been done’”.
importance of history. “A business school’s past should always be a foundation to establish credibility, trust, authenticity and build on what we’ve achieved.” On the topic of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into business school marketing, there was further agreement; this time on taking the time to understand any ethical implications and ensuring transparency every step of the way. “We have an ethical responsibility because we are selling a product that will change the course of people’s lives and their wellbeing,” Ihlbrock rationalised. Widening reach to advance inclusion In a thought-provoking session chaired by Ambition editor Colette Doyle, an international panel of leaders explored schools’ responsibility towards advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “We believe that DEI must be intentional and systemic in every part and dimension of our business school. We need to have objective strategies, indicators and actions,” remarked Beatrice Avolio Alecchi, dean of faculty at Centrum PUCP, Pontificia Universidad Católica in Peru. According to Avolio, Centrum’s DEI initiatives, including a programme aimed at upskilling people with disabilities, demonstrate the importance of connecting multiple stakeholders. “We need to act as a bridge between different actors in society,” she explained. Vijaya Bhaskar Marisetty, dean of academics at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam, spoke about the school’s efforts to reach an underserved segment of society while also fuelling business growth: “In India, 60 per cent of the labour force come from farming communities and their contribution to our GDP is only 16 per cent. If their contribution goes up, the overall inclusive growth will also go up, so we consciously took a decision to upskill farmers.” Chief development officer at ESSCA School of Management Stéphanie Villemagne expressed her belief that DEI has become part of the ecosystem, but said the industry can go further: “We’ve been looking to the West for a very long time; how about we start looking elsewhere? Because it is from all these cultures and sources of difference that we can truly learn about each other and continue the work in diversity.” Cardiff University MBA programme director Saloomeh Tabari, meanwhile, challenged schools to reflect on their approach to
A session on DEI chaired by Ambition editor Colette Doyle (far left) featured faculty from schools in India, Peru, France and the UK
Sarah Birrell Ivory discussed a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh Business School and NatWest Group
AMBA & BGA CEO Andrew Main Wilson addresses guests at Axica, the venue for dinner on the second day of the conference
24 Ambition • ISSUE 4 • 2025
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