Farewell to Anne Kiem, and an update on the Chief Executive appointment

At the end of 2022 Anne Kiem OBE, Chief Executive, will be leaving the Chartered ABS to start the next chapter of her career. Anne has led the Chartered ABS for eight years and has overseen many successes for the organisation including gaining Royal Charter status, the expansion of the Small Business Charter, and developing national delivery partnerships like the UKRI RED programme and the government’s Help to Grow: Management Course for SMEs. During her tenure, the Association has gained influence within government on critical issues such as international student visas, and her leadership during the pandemic raised member engagement as individuals and organisations shared best practice over issues like remote assessment. Anne was awarded an OBE in 2019 for her services to small businesses and entrepreneurs, and was made a Chartered ABS Fellow at our 2022 Annual Conference in recognition for her sustained contribution to the Chartered ABS and its members.

Professor Robert MacIntosh, Chair of the Chartered ABS, said “Anne leaves the organisation on a high with an engaged membership and a growing influence on policy. She also leaves a solid financial footing, an exciting pipeline of work and an excellent team which will form the next stage in the organisation’s development. She will be sorely missed and I am sure she will continue to be a strong advocate for business schools in the years ahead.”

Anne Kiem OBE, said “It has been an honour and a privilege to be Chief Executive of such a fabulous organisation, working on behalf of our members. The important work that you do in business schools and the impact it has should be widely known and appreciated. You are progressive and quite often lead the entire university sector in issues like EDI, employability and sustainability. That government now recognises your role as enablers of economic growth is fantastic. I have made many friends over the years, and it will be difficult to leave but it is time for new ideas and ways of working. I have been so fortunate to be supported by so many of you and I would especially like to acknowledge all four Chairs of Council, all current and past Council members, everyone who has served on committees, and last by no means least my amazing colleagues in the Chartered ABS team. I will admire the progress of each of you and your institutions from slightly further away."

The recruitment process for a new permanent Chief Executive is underway. Applications have closed and interviews will take place in January. From 1st January we have put in place an interim leadership team pending the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Barney Roe will be Interim Chief Executive; Roxanne Nazrudeen will be Interim Executive Director for the Small Business Charter and Help to Grow; Oliver Lowe will be Interim Director of Business Development & Events; Professor Martin Broad, a former business school dean and recent Vice Chair of the Chartered ABS, will also provide support to both the executive team and Council.