Dr Ioannou recognised with FT Responsible Business Education Award

London Business School warmly congratulates Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship Dr Ioannis Ioannou for winning a top teaching honour, awarded for his ‘Sustainability Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities’ course at this year’s Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award.

Dr Ioannou’s course was one of five Teaching Award winners whose work “illustrated new ways in which academics are interacting with content”. The FT said that Dr Ioannou’s Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility course tackles “head-on” criticism occasionally levelled at MBA courses that they sometimes fail to offer students “hands-on experience”.

Dr Ioannou’s Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility course welcomed LBS alumni and had them share their experiences from a wide range of sectors including energy and luxury goods. LBS alumni were invited to share their expertise in dealing with sustainability dilemmas faced by leaders in the field, helping students create both social and economic value in diverse industries.

The FT acknowledged the importance of interactivity in the delivery of the course. “Students prepare questions during their pre-session assignments, which helps them think deeply about how they can use the knowledge in their careers. They are required to write profiles of LBS alumni in leadership positions as part of a group assignment. And their final coursework requires them to assess their own leadership strengths, set measurable goals, and develop next steps to boost their leadership skills.”

Dr Ioannou said the course stood out because of its focus “on the leadership needed to address the complexities of sustainability”. “What makes it truly unique is the direct involvement of LBS alumni who are at the forefront of driving sustainable change. These leaders share their personal journeys, offering students a first-hand look at the challenges of navigating resistance, making tough trade-offs and fostering innovation in demanding environments. By learning from these real-world experiences, students build the skills to lead responsibly, balance competing priorities and inspire others to create meaningful, lasting transformation.”

Eric Cornuel, one of the judges and president of the European Foundation for Management Development network association, said Dr Ioannou’s course was not only a forum where students and alumni discuss dilemmas from the field but also a leadership course. He said that what distinguished Dr Ioannou’s course was that it “never lost sight of the issue of creating value in business”.

“This course was built around a simple but powerful idea: that sustainability leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s about people. By focusing on case studies of LBS alumni who are leading the way in sustainability, the course allowed students to learn directly from those navigating the complexities of embedding sustainability into real businesses. From energy and timber to luxury goods and outdoor apparel, these stories helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.”

Dr Ioannou said that it was inspiring to watch students bring their “full curiosity and creativity” to every discussion. “They didn’t just absorb ideas; they questioned them, pushed boundaries, and explored their own potential as future leaders. Their energy and commitment made every session deeply rewarding.

Dr Ioannou said that the course was further enriched by the incredible alumni who shared their stories, notably Salman Alam, Jens Berge, Christoph Kulterer, Laura Chavez, Angela Cretu, Andy Rubin, and Sara Brennan. Their candid accounts of making tough decisions and driving change across industries left, said Dr Ioannou, "a lasting impact on everyone in the classroom".

“I’m especially proud that one of these cases, featuring Laura Chavez’s ground-breaking work with lab-grown diamonds at Lark & Berry, was recently published in the Financial Times. Her story is a testament to the power of bold, values-driven leadership to reshape an industry.

“This award reflects the efforts of so many. A heartfelt thanks to the Alumni, Advancement, and Teaching Innovation teams at LBS, and to the students whose passion and thoughtfulness made this course truly special.”

Learn more about the award and the course here