Building competitiveness through continuous learning
Founded by business executives for business executives, we are an independent academic institution with Swiss roots and global reach. We strive to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide.
About the Institute for Management Development (IMD)
The Institute for Management Development (IMD) is an independent academic institution with Swiss roots and global reach, founded 75 years ago by business leaders for business leaders. Since its creation, IMD has been a pioneering force in developing leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society.
Based in Lausanne (Switzerland) and Singapore, IMD has been ranked in the Top 3 of the annual FT’s Executive Education Global Ranking for the last nine consecutive years and in the top five for 17 consecutive years. Our MBA and EMBA programs have repeatedly been singled out among the best in Europe and the world.
We believe that this consistency at the forefront of our industry is grounded in IMD’s unique approach to creating “Real Learning. Real Impact”. Led by an expert and diverse faculty, we strive to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide. Challenging what is and inspiring what could be.
IMD has also stepped up its action and measurement efforts in the area of sustainability in recent years. EcoVadis announced the business school’s silver rating for 2019, showing a clear year-on-year progression.
Our purpose
Challenging what is and inspiring what could be, we develop leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society.
Our Values
Timeline
Before 1990
1946 CEI - Centre d'Etudes Industrielles is established by Alcan Aluminium, Limited (now Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc) in Geneva. CEI would function under this name until 1981.
1956 IMEDE - Institut pour l'Etude des Méthodes de Direction de l'Entreprise is established in Lausanne by Nestlé in coordination with Harvard Business School. The institute would operate under this name until 1989.
1972 IMD's world-class MBA program is launched.
1981 CEI officially becomes IMI - International Management Institute and would function under this name until 1989.
1989 Ranking the nations of the world in terms of economic outputs, IMD publishes the first World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY).
1990 - 2000
1990 IMI merges with IMEDE to create IMD – International Institute for Management Development. Facilities are all to be based in Lausanne and the vision to develop global leaders is adopted.
1995 IMD's largest program for individuals and teams, Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP), is launched in Lausanne.
1996 Marking the formation of CEI, IMD celebrates 50 years of providing knowledge and business education to global leaders.
1998 IMD launches its first EMBA program.
After 2000
2013 The IMD Global Family Business Center celebrates its 25th Anniversary and the IMD World Competitiveness Center (WCC) celebrates the 25th edition of the World Competitiveness Yearbook.
2015 IMD opens its Southeast Asia Executive Learning Center in Singapore. IMD and Cisco inaugurate the Global Center for Digital Business Transformation (DBT Center).
2019 IMD joins forces with the University of Lausanne - through its Faculty of Business and Economics (UNIL-HEC) - and the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) - under the stewardship of its College of Management of Technology - in Enterprise for Society (E4S).
IMD’s contribution to the regional economy
- 2,500+ alumni in Vaud and 15,000+ in Switzerland, according to the latest figure from the Development & Alumni Relations office.
- 490+ Swiss startups supported through the MBA & EMBA Startup Projects Competition since 1998.
- More than CHF 1.2 million of MBA and EMBA hours invested in Vaud startups.
According to an ‘Impact Report’ guided by EFMD’s Business School Impact System, IMD’s economic contribution to its home city of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud was estimated to be CHF 360 million in 2018.
In addition to pure economic spending, executives and associates who come to IMD for education or work stay an equivalent of 40,000 nights in local hotels every year.
The report also reveals that over 11,000 alumni are based in Switzerland with more than 2,800 in Vaud working for multinationals, small and medium-sized companies, public institutions, and startups.
Download 'Impact Report 2018-2019' (English) (PDF, 3.93MB)
Download 'Rapport d'impact 2018-2019' (French) (PDF, 3.98 MB)
IMD Annual Report 2020
Discover how IMD empowers individuals and organizations and contributes to society in the Annual Report 2020.
Previous IMD Annual Reports
IMD Annual Report 2019
2019 was a milestone year of increased revenues, which supported increased investments. Revenues hit a record high thanks to growth of 9.5 percent compared to 2018. As a Swiss foundation, IMD is not aiming to generate profits, but increasing revenues does enable us to make more investments on the pedagogical, operational and research fronts - including areas such as a pioneering virtual classroom concept. For more details, download the Annual Report 2019 (PDF).
We also offer a French version of the IMD Annual Report 2019 (PDF, 171 MB).
IMD Annual Report 2018
IMD favors a lean organization with minimal bureaucracy. Demand for faculty expertise grew in 2018, as IMD cemented its position as a primary driver of innovative ideas in global busi- ness, executive education and re- search, thanks to its unique “real world” insights and world-re- nowned experts. For more details, download the Annual Report 2018 (PDF, 7.47 MB).
IMD Annual Report 2017
2017 was characterized by continuity, growth and transformation. Since succeeding Dominique Turpin at the helm of IMD at the beginning of 2017, the management team, the board and the IMD community have been working on a set of priorities that will enable IMD to succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s competitive landscape by having a distinctive positive impact on individuals, organizations and the world. For more details, download the Annual Report 2017 (PDF, 3.77 MB).
