A year of progress at London Business School

Over the past year, London Business School has enhanced its campus, research, and the student experience, enabled by the generosity of its alumni and supporters through the Forever Forward campaign. 

Among the most notable milestones is a landmark £25 million gift from an anonymous alumnus, establishing LBS’s first endowed research institute and reinforcing the School’s ability to deliver world-class insights that shape business and society. 

A £3 million gift from alumnus John Dawson MiFPT1995 and his wife, Sam Dawson, has endowed the Dawson Chair in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. The appointment of Professor Sendil Ethiraj as the inaugural Chair strengthens the School’s leadership in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. 

These gifts sit alongside other developments, including the transformation of the Plowden Building, which in turn includes enhanced teaching spaces, student wellbeing facilities and shared areas at the heart of Sussex Place. The building now features the Pathiraja Fryland Møller Lecture Theatre, named in honour of Executive MBA alumni and Campaign vice-chairs Dr Fiona Pathiraja EMBALS2017 and Søren Fryland Møller EMBALS2017, whose support reflects their lasting commitment to the School community. 

The redevelopment also includes the Weston Student Wellbeing Lounge, supported by a £250,000 grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, which will make key student services more visible and accessible. The reopening marked the building’s heritage through the restoration of its foundation plaque and the installation of a bust of Lord Plowden, generously donated by his family. 

Find out more about the developments below.