New Governing Body Chair for London Business School
Dr David E.I. Pyott CBE is former Chairman & CEO of Allergan Inc., a global specialty pharmaceuticals company with leading franchises in ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology and medical aesthetics, including Botox. Since 2018, he has been Deputy Chair of London Business School and will be appointed as the new Chair of the School’s Governing Body.
He is an LBS alumnus MSc13(1980) and has a longstanding relationship with the School. He will succeed the Hon Apurv Bagri who stands down on 1 May 2023 after 20 years of service to the Governing Body, which has included eight years as Deputy Chair (2006-2014) and nine years as Chair (2014-2023).
Dr Pyott is a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips, a director of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Biomarin Pharmaceutical, and Pliant Therapeutics. In addition, he is a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the California Institute of Technology.
He is also a board director of several not-for-profit organisations in America, Europe and Africa. He and his wife created the David & Molly Pyott Foundation which educates ophthalmologists worldwide, supports young people into employment and improves care for disabled individuals.
He says: “It is a privilege to be asked to chair the Governing Body of the School at this exciting time in its history. I am looking forward to working with Dean François Ortalo-Magné and the School’s Governing Body. It has been an honour to work alongside Mr Bagri. The School has benefitted enormously from his leadership and unwavering commitment.”
A member of the Governing Body since 2015, and Deputy Chair since 2018, Pyott passionately believes in the vibrancy of the School’s multinational community of faculty, students, alumni and staff. He will build on the School’s leading position in education of executives and will contribute to the School’s ambition to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world.
Mr Bagri said: “Having worked closely with David over the past eight years, I have every confidence he will provide exceptional leadership and commitment to the School as it enters the next chapter.
“I leave the School in a strong position, having navigated its way through a global pandemic with outstanding innovation and launched its Forever Forward £200m fundraising campaign this autumn.
“It has been a privilege to lead this amazing institution and, whilst many challenges remain, I am confident that our investment in our faculty, people and our facilities will enable us to go from strength to strength.”
Dr Pyott, who became a Fellow of London Business School in 2006, received a CBE for services to British business excellence and management skills in the United States in the same year.
