The Board of Directors of ESCP Business School has appointed Professor Thomas Jeanjean as Executive President and Dean of the School. He will succeed Professor Léon Laulusa, effective 24th August 2026.
The appointment follows a rigorous international search process led by the Board of Directors. It reflects the Board’s determination to build on the momentum generated by ESCP in recent years and to guide the School through its next stage of development. At a time when higher education is being reshaped by rapid technological innovation, evolving geopolitical and environmental challenges, and intensifying international competition, ESCP is committed to further strengthening its academic excellence and consolidating its position among the world’s leading institutions for management education.
Professor Jeanjean brings more than 20 years of experience within some of France’s leading academic institutions. Since 2021, he has served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Education at the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France), where he oversees the institution’s education strategy across a portfolio of 14 schools spanning management, engineering, design, culinary arts, and technology. This role has involved coordinating education strategies across diverse fields, giving him a broad perspective that aligns with ESCP interdisciplinary ambitions.
Previously, he held several senior leadership positions at ESSEC Business School, notably as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Dean of post-experience Programmes and Executive Education, where he led major strategic, organisational, and international transformation initiatives. A graduate of École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, holder of the agrégation in Economics and Management, and a PhD from Université Paris Dauphine, Professor Jeanjean began his academic career as Professor of Accounting at HEC Paris before joining ESSEC. His career combines academic excellence, extensive leadership experience in higher education, and a proven track record in leading large-scale institutional transformation, underscoring a commitment to research-led teaching.
Professor Jeanjean will continue to implement ESCP’s Bold & United strategic roadmap, supporting the School’s ambition to become Europe’s leading university for management. His mandate includes strengthening ESCP’s research excellence, overseeing the launch of the School of Technology and the School of Governance, and reinforcing the international reach of the School’s multicampus model. These new schools are set to integrate emerging areas such as digital innovation and policy leadership into the core curriculum, addressing skills gaps identified in recent industry reports on future-ready graduates.
Philippe Houzé, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ESCP, said: “By appointing Jeanjean, the Board of Directors has entrusted the future of ESCP to a leader who combines strategic vision, a collaborative mindset, and a proven ability to deliver. I am convinced that he will build on the momentum achieved by the School and lead the next stage of its development with a clear ambition: to establish ESCP as Europe’s leading university, recognised worldwide for the excellence of its research, the innovation of its teaching, the strength of its multicampus model, and its ability to educate responsible leaders equipped to address the challenges of our time. The launch of the School of Technology, followed by the School of Governance, will mark a major milestone in this journey, enabling ESCP to continue anticipating the profound transformations shaping our world and preparing the leaders of tomorrow.”
Professor Jeanjean added: “I am deeply honoured by the trust the Board of Directors has placed in me. Joining ESCP is an immense privilege. With more than two centuries of history, the School has built a truly distinctive model, combining academic excellence, international openness, and a deeply European identity. I am committed to building on the momentum achieved in recent years, guided by one simple conviction: the greatest ambitions only truly matter when they are translated into concrete achievements. Together with our faculty, professional staff, students, alumni, and partners, I will devote all my energy to advancing this shared ambition, with one constant priority: providing our students with the very best environment in which to learn, innovate, and prepare to make a lasting impact in a rapidly changing world.”
The transition comes as business schools worldwide navigate digital disruption and demands for greater societal impact. Under Professor Laulusa’s leadership, ESCP advanced its Bold & United strategy, expanding programmes and enhancing its global footprint. Professor Jeanjean’s extensive background in transforming major French institutions is expected to ensure seamless continuation of these efforts.
Industry observers note that such appointments signal confidence in sustained growth for European business education amid competitive pressures from North American and Asian institutions. ESCP’s multi-campus model, spanning multiple countries, offers students immersive international exposure, a feature increasingly valued by employers seeking globally minded leaders. The Board’s choice highlights the importance of combining internal expertise with fresh leadership to navigate the complexities of modern higher education.
With over two centuries of history, ESCP continues to evolve while maintaining its European identity and focus on responsible leadership. As Professor Jeanjean assumes the role in late August 2026, the institution stands poised to advance its strategic objectives with renewed focus on innovation, international collaboration, and academic rigour.