Professors shortlisted for Thinkers50 Awards
Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton recognised for their research on the 100-year life
Two London Business School (LBS) professors who jointly authored The 100-Year Life have been shortlisted for an award by Thinkers50, the global ranking of management thinkers.
Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics, and Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice, co-authors of The 100-Year Life, have been shortlisted in this year’s Distinguished Achievement Awards. Their nomination is for the category of Breakthrough Ideas, which celebrates radical ideas in management that have the potential to change the way people think about business.
Gratton and Scott’s book, The 100-year Life, considers the implications of longevity for both individuals and society. The authors draw on their shared experience in psychology and economics to offer analysis and solutions which show how people can rethink their finances, education, career and relationships to create a fulfilling 100-year life. The book, a finalist for the FT/McKinsey award, proved highly successful and, having been translated into many languages, became a top seller in Japan, for example.
At LBS, Professor Scott lectures on macroeconomics, focusing on providing an understanding of how macro forces shape the global competitive environment. He is a Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research, has held posts at Harvard and Oxford University and was a non-executive director of the Financial Services Authority, now the Financial Conduct Authority. His research focuses on business cycles, monetary and fiscal policy and longevity.
Professor Gratton lectures on HR strategy, leadership skills and organisational behaviour and has written extensively about the interface between people and organisations. She directs a number of programmes for LBS including Human Resource Strategy in Transforming Organisations and Leading Businesses into the Future and was named the best teacher at the School in 2015. She is a Fellow of the World Economic Forum and has chaired the WEF Council on Leadership.
Professor Scott said: “Researching The 100-year Life was just the beginning. We’re seeking to open people’s eyes to the implications of longevity – so I’m thrilled that our work has been recognised through this shortlisting. Our research explores the reality of a multi-stage life with a variety of careers to include breaks and transitions, demonstrating how to make a gift from a long life.”
Professor Gratton commented: “Being shortlisted for this award is very exciting. A 100-year life means taking responsibility for the shape of one’s own life, rather than leaving it to the institutions of work and state that have governed many people’s situations for several generations. For organisations, longevity is about creating a new contract with a different, less biddable and wildly more diverse workforce. And if longer life is to be celebrated – which it should – issues need to be confronted now.”
The 2017 winners will be announced in London on November 13. More than 4,000 people participated in the 2017 awards nomination process.
About Thinkers50
Thinkers50 scans, ranks, and shares the very best in management ideas. Its definitive global ranking of management thinkers is published every two years. The 2015 winner was Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School who also topped the ranking in 2005. Previous winners include CK Prahalad (2009 and 2007); Clay Christensen (2011 and 2013); and Peter Drucker (2001 and 2003).
About Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove
Des Dearlove and Stuart Crainer are the founders and directors of Thinkers50. Internationally recognised experts and commentators on management ideas, they are the authors of more than 15 books available in 20 languages. Former columnists to The (London) Times, they are editors of The Financial Times Handbook of Management. They advise thinkers and organisations worldwide.
