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The August move of the GSB to London was covered in a June 2 article by Catalonia Today, a Barcelona weekly. Glenn Sykes, the managing director of the European Executive MBA program, was interviewed about the move.
When the GSB first opened its doors in Barcelona 11 years ago, the city, fresh from hosting the Olympics, had seen major investments and infrastructure improvements. Since then, however, economic focus has shifted to London, which has had the largest growth in Europe.
Sykes noted the relocation was mainly due to London’s ability to offer “a huge corporate presence that should provide ‘the best and brightest students’.” According to Skykes, London boasts 86 corporate headquarters and 287 foreign banks. A major European transit hub, London also makes it easy for students to travel to and from the program.
As one of the top three Executive MBA programs in the world according to the Financial Times, the GSB looked at enhancing “the academic and professional opportunities for our students” observed Sykes. With the new campus located in London’s financial center, the GSB looks to attract talented managers from all around the globe.
The strategy appears to be working. Applicants for the inaugural London class came from over 40 countries. In fact, several new countries such as Senegal and Jamaica were represented in the applicant pool.
Around 700 students have graduated from the program since it was started in 1994. The last Exec MBA Program students to graduate from the GSB’s Barcelona campus will receive their degrees in spring of 2006.