Organisational psychologist John Amaechi OBE has joined the Business School. Image courtesy of APS Intelligence

World leading figure joins University of Exeter Business School as Honorary Professor

The University of Exeter Business School is delighted to announce that John Amaechi OBE is joining the Business School as an Honorary Professor.

The role recognises the growing relationship the Business School has developed with John throughout the pandemic. John has joined MBA students, alumni and local business leaders on several occasions over the past two years as part of The Exeter MBA’s Leading Edge series. His provocations on responsible leadership and the importance of ethical and inclusive leadership have resonated with the Business School’s strategic priorities.  

John Amaechi OBE is a respected organisational psychologist, international best-selling author, sought-after public speaker, executive coach and the Founder of APS Intelligence Ltd. He is a non-executive director of a FTSE 250 food company and has recently retired from the board of a £2.4 billion healthcare organisation in addition to being a board adviser for several FTSE 100 organisations in the financial, legal and professional services, technology, publishing, engineering and retail sectors. John has been recognised as one of HR’s most influential thinkers by HR Magazine and this month has been inducted into the HRMI Hall of Fame.

John grew up in Stockport, near Manchester, and left for America alone, at the age of 18, to pursue his ambition to become the first Briton to have a career in the NBA. Just six years after picking up a basketball, he achieved that goal.

Since retirement from sport, John has continued to learn and teach. He is a Chartered Scientist, a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the Association of Business Psychologists. He is a Research Fellow at the University of East London and his research interests include effective, inclusive leadership, building high-performing teams and organisational design that maximises productivity and human thriving in readiness for the future world of work.

Professor Alexandra Gerbasi, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Business School said: “We are absolutely delighted that John is joining us as an Honorary Professor. Our students and Faculty are consistently inspired by his thought leadership on the key topics of equality, diversity and responsible and inclusive leadership. We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with John in his new role of Honorary Professor.”

John Amaechi OBE said: “It has been refreshing to speak to the students at the University of Exeter Business school over the last few years. That joy is only eclipsed by the collegiality and instant bond I’ve developed with leaders and faculty members who made me feel a part of the University long before this honour. I can’t wait to see what ‘good trouble’ we can get into together!”

John will be visiting the Business School in the autumn, meeting students and faculty from across the School.

Date: 1 July 2022