IESE governance
At IESE, we aim to achieve excellence in all our activities and to act responsibly to make a positive impact on the world through business education. We have rigorous internal governance and management mechanisms in place to ensure that decision-making is aligned with our mission and that we build a sustainable future and leadership path for the school.
Meet Dean Heukamp
Franz Heukamp has been the dean of IESE since 2016. He is a professor of decision analysis and holds the Antonio Valero Chair of Business Administration.
As dean, his priorities for the school are expanding its global reach, responding to the changing needs of lifelong learning and the impact of digitization on education, as well as ensuring that IESE stays faithful to its mission to serve society
Our governance system
IESE's governance system is based on the principles of trust, collegiality and accountability. IESE Business School is part of the University of Navarra, a Catholic university whose chancellor is Fernando Ocáriz, the prelate of Opus Dei.
The chancellor governs the university through the vice chancellor, who is also the vicar of Opus Dei in Spain. At present, the vice chancellor is Ignacio Barrera. The vice chancellor looks after the long-term vision and ensures alignment with the founding principles of the university and its Christian identity.
The vice chancellor oversees IESE with respect to its strategy, budget and the appointments of senior faculty members and the members of the executive committee, in collaboration with the university president. The central services of the University of Navarra also manage the publicly accredited academic degrees and global university policies that affect IESE, such as compliance and other matters.
The Supervisory Board was created in 2023 and supervises the work of the Executive Committee and the dean in the development of strategy, the implementation of strategic plans and the analysis of major decisions for the institution, supporting the work of the vice chancellor.
The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization. It develops the school's strategic vision, proposes faculty appointments and promotions, oversees the generation of research, creates academic programs and is responsible for their delivery.
In parallel, several committees advise the Executive Committee and the dean including the International Advisory Board, the Harvard-IESE Committee and the Executive Committee of the IESE Alumni Association. These committees support management on a variety of issues. Some members participate in several committees, which ensures that consistent criteria are applied and that the ideas discussed reach management.
The Supervisory Board supervises the work of the Executive Committee and the dean in the development of strategy, the implementation of strategic plans and the analysis of major decisions for the institution, supporting the work of the vice chancellor. The Supervisory Board is composed of leading business professionals and academics.
The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of IESE and is made up of members of the organization. It develops the school's strategic vision, proposes faculty appointments and promotions, oversees the generation of research, creates academic programs and is responsible for their delivery.
Advisory Boards
IESE's International Advisory Board was created in 1986 and analyzes the global socio-economic context from the point of view of companies, emerging trends, business and management education needs and management innovation.
The board is made up of prominent business leaders from Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia who are recognized for their contribution to the development of corporate governance, business and society as a whole. The dean of IESE appoints the members of the board, which meets twice a year.
IESE and Harvard Business School have enjoyed a close relationship for more than 50 years. The Harvard-IESE Committee, launched in 1963, was established to guide IESE in the development of programs and growth in scope as a business school. Landmark accomplishments include the launch of IESE’s MBA, the first of its kind in Europe, and joint international Executive Education programs.
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The Alumni Executive Committee oversees the Alumni Association’s diverse activities and services, in addition to approving budgets and presenting the annual accounts to the Governing Board. The committee also offers guidance on the school’s strategy, initiatives, programs and corporate development. All committee members are IESE alumni, who care about the continuous education of alumni and their ongoing role in the school.