The Leadership Lab: Eloïc Peyrache
Perhaps unsurprisingly, every time I have the great privilege of discussing leadership with the head of a world class educational institution, I am left thinking about the world a little differently. In this instance, the image that has stuck in my head is of the world as a triangle not a sphere.
Born in India, growing up in Japan, moving to the US and Spain, Eloïc believes fervently in the importance of international diversity and the ability to look at the world through the lens of many places and cultures. He is influenced by his mother, a prominent proponent of gender diversity in Paris.
The themes of social injustice, changing destinies and building bridges in an increasingly polarised and complex world, run throughout this interview. I hope you will find it as thought provoking as I did and understand why I am so delighted that HEC is now one of our partner business schools; offering full MBA Laidlaw Scholarships to women from socio-economically backgrounds.
00:26 | We talk a lot with our Scholars about leadership being a journey, not a destination. Where did it all begin for you?
02:28 | You've been at HEC since 2003. A lot of people now think of moving jobs every 18 months or so, yet you've been very successful staying at one organisation - what made you follow that route?
05:30 | One of the things that you focused on early, and consistently, is diversity and equal opportunities, why is this so important to you?
09:54 | When we first met, you told me that a business school’s role is to create bridges, which really stuck with me as an image. Three of the incredible programmes that you run to do that are your Eloquencia, oracy programme with local schools and your Imagine Fellows programme for students coming from war zones and Stand Up for women from underprivileged backgrounds. Can you tell us a bit more about these initiatives?
20:50 | When we release this interview it will be to coincide with our launching a new Women’s Movement together which I am so excited about. Together, we’ll be providing 10 full MBA scholarships a year to women from socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds. What are your hopes for this programme?
22:58 | François Ortalo-Magné, Dean of LBS, with whom we have been partnering for 4 years now, credits the women’s movement there with re-thinking how they address all aspects of diversity, equality and inclusion across the student body. Do you think this programme will have a wider impact across all of HEC?
25:23 | One of your many successes has been to revamp the curriculum for your Masters In Management which is now rated number one in the world and includes three areas very close to our hearts at the Foundation, civic engagement, ESG and an entrepreneurial mindset. Why did you think those three things were so important to embed in the curriculum?
30:48 | What are you proudest of?
33:00 | Would you say that making social mobility happen is the hardest thing that you do?
35:47 | What do you think are the most important traits to cultivate as a leader?
39:15 | What would you say is your North Star?
41:04 | You have met with leaders from all over the world and in every sector. Who have you admired the most and why?
43:45 | Sally Mapstone, VC of St. Andrews University, is motivated, daily, by what makes her angry which is any form of social injustice. In fact, she has a mantra which is what motivates her to lead. Every morning, she asks herself, what she is going to do today to address injustice. What do you set yourself as a target when you wake up in the morning?
45:58 | Our next interview, I am delighted to say will be with the ex-Prime Minster of New Zealand Helen Clark; what do you think we should ask her?
A graduate of Cambridge University, Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. Susanna began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, which was the world’s largest organiser of commercial conferences, was acquired by Informa plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group and also led the public company’s investor relations programmes. She subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Susanna has been extensively involved with education and professional development over many years. She was Head of Group Training and led the commercial acquisition and integration of a portfolio of corporate training businesses whilst at IIR; and created learning academies at both Informa and Emap. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and believes that we need to develop a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and devoted to decency, truthfulness, and innovation. Susanna is committed to diversity not only as a societal imperative but as a critical component of commercial success. As an advisor to the trustees of the Foundation, Susanna first learnt about its purpose and programmes before becoming its Chief Executive responsible for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, the Laidlaw Scholars and its other education programmes. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo; and played netball and rowed for Newnham.
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