Leadership in Financial Organizations – Europe

For business leaders in the financial industry, these are uncertain times. In the wake of the recent global economic crisis, companies are confronted with volatile financial markets, heightened regulation, and increased public scrutiny of both performance and ethics. In response, Harvard Business School (HBS) has designed a new offering—Leadership in Financial Organizations. Presented in four of the world's leading financial centers, this powerful program explores the demands facing industry executives in today's unpredictable economic climate.

What You Can Expect

Faculty cochairs Boris Groysberg and Paul Healy, accomplished researchers in the financial industry and authors of more than seventy-five published works on this topic, will address the issues that are integral to success for leaders of teams and organizations. You will explore industry-specific subjects related to leadership, change management, ethics, and talent management. Because the same curriculum and framework are used in all four program venues, employees who work for one organization but in different regions of the globe will develop a common leadership language.

Your Course of Study

Leadership in Financial Organizations examines a range of industry, strategy, leadership, and organizational topics. Through case studies, lectures, interactive exercises, and surveys, you will analyze complex leadership issues confronted by financial institutions around the world.

Who Is Right for the Program

This program is designed for managing directors and other high-level executives of established global financial institutions. Offering a uniform curriculum across all locations enables executives to choose the program venue that best suits their schedule and location. Typical organizations represented include insurance companies, investment and commercial banks, asset management firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms.

What You Can Expect

Improving Your Organization's Performance

In today's turbulent economic climate, the leadership challenges facing financial institutions are more daunting than ever. Across the industry, companies must compete in an environment of heightened regulation, greater scrutiny of ethics, and increased risk.

Presented in London, Boston, India, and China, this new program helps executives address the key issues related to the leadership and management of financial companies. By offering the same curriculum in every location, HBS ensures that employees of one global organization can benefit from a common leadership language and framework—no matter where they work or attend. As a participant, you will improve your ability to lead change and drive growth in an uncertain global economy.

Taking Your Skills to the Next Level

Interacting with renowned HBS faculty and elite industry leaders, you will examine the real-world leadership issues faced by financial institutions across the globe. Among the key questions addressed in the program are:

"I wanted to know how other organizations were overcoming leadership challenges in the current financial services environment. This very well-designed program covered a good mix of strategy, leadership, and people issues—in a convenient location—and gave me some valuable food for thought."
Sameena Ahmad [Managing Director], Alpen Capital, UAE

Your Course of Study

Structured on a framework of global case studies focused exclusively on the financial industry—as well as lectures, instructive exercises, and surveys—Leadership in Financial Organizations explores the critical leadership challenges facing today's financial companies. The program's curriculum investigates five leadership topics that are essential to success:

"As we confronted real situations leaders have faced—learning from others' successes and failures—we could put our own issues into perspective. It was immensely empowering. I certainly gained many useful pointers and guidelines, and the segments on strategy and human capital were particularly valuable. But I was surprised at how much I also learned about the workings of different types of companies within the financial sector. The program certainly enriched me as a leader. I feel more confident because I have a more focused approach and a better sense of how to analyze and tackle different situations that come my way."
Kalyani Pillay [CEO], SABRIC, South Africa

Meet the Program Faculty

Like all Harvard Business School Executive Education programs, Leadership in Financial Organizations is developed and taught by a core faculty of HBS professors. Our faculty members are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors.

Through publishing, consulting, and teaching, they leverage their business expertise and field-based research to create new knowledge and enduring concepts that shape the practice of management. The result is a teaching team that exposes participants to multiple perspectives, challenging their thinking and encouraging new practices that result in superior business leadership. For more detailed biographies, click on each faculty name.

Please check back for information about additional faculty members who will be teaching this course.

Core Faculty

Boris Groysberg, Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; faculty chair of "Driving Performance Through Talent Management"; and faculty cochair of "Leadership in Financial Organizations."

Paul M. Healy, James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration and Henry B. Arthur Fellow. Senior Associate Dean, Director of Research; and member of the Accounting and Management Unit. Faculty chair of "Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance" and "Strategic Financial Analysis for Business Evaluation"; and faculty cochair of "Leadership in Financial Organizations."

Who Is Right for the Program

Leadership in Financial Organizations—Europe is designed for senior leaders of established global financial institutions. By using the identical curriculum and framework in each location, the program allows executives from the same organization to expand their network to different markets across the globe. Interacting with elite peers from around the world, you will build global relationships that provide value long after the program ends. Typical attendees include managing directors and other high-level executives from global companies across the financial industry, such as:

Past Participants Represented:

Industries Nationalities
58% Financial 11% Africa
5% High Technology 16% Asia/Pacific
11% Nonprofit Services 58% Europe
16% Other Services 5% Latin America
5% Professional Services 11% Middle East
5% Real Estate/Construction

"The program enabled me to share leadership experiences with others in similar financial services roles while exploring highly relevant topics and cases. The result was a refreshing and enjoyable experience that boosted my confidence and stimulated new thinking."
Tommy Laupsa [Chief Financial Officer], Al Alamiya Insurance KSA, Saudi Arabia

Admissions

Because a diverse participant mix is an important part of every HBS Executive Education program, we look for candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds to enrich the learning experience.

Fees, Payments, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.

No payment is necessary until you have been accepted into an HBS Executive Education program. After admission notification, we will send you an invoice via email; payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. If admission is within 30 days prior to the start of the program, payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. Payment is required prior to the program start date. We accept payment by company check, bank wire transfer, or credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa). Details are included on the program invoice.

If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Due to program demand and the volume of preprogram preparation, cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Requirements

Although there are no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on professional achievement and organizational responsibility. We look for professionals who have demonstrated business talent and leadership potential.

HBS Executive Education programs enrich both participants and their sponsoring organizations, and require full commitment from each party. While participants devote time and intellect to the learning experience, sponsoring organizations agree to relieve individuals of their work responsibilities during the program.

Language Proficiency

We deliberately design our programs to encourage individual growth and to foster productive interaction among participants. For that reason, proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. If English is your second language, or if you have less than one year's experience working in an English-speaking environment, HBS requires a brief statement documenting proficiency in English-language skills, both conversational and written. This may include a list of the English-language certification programs that you have completed; the degrees you have earned at English-speaking colleges and universities; or the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. The Admissions Committee also may request a telephone interview.

Application Process

Program participants must be nominated and sponsored by their current employer. HBS must receive your application and all required documents in order to prepare the application for review by the Admissions Committee.

To apply, you may use our online form or download an application. You also may request a brochure by mail.

If you submit your application online, we will promptly acknowledge receipt of your submission via email. In the unlikely event that an email acknowledgment is not received, please contact the Admissions Committee by email: exed_admissions@hbs.edu, phone: +1-617-495-6226, or fax: +1-617-496-1731.

If you choose to submit a printed application, be sure to type or print legibly and sign your application. Send the application to the address or fax number listed on the form. Mailed or faxed applications are processed and acknowledged promptly upon receipt via email.

Complete Your Application

Please answer all questions thoroughly—the Admissions Committee will consider only completed applications. After reviewing your application and making the necessary edits or corrections, print or copy the application for your records.

Meet the Deadlines

We request applications at least four weeks in advance of the program start date. Early application does not guarantee admission. Programs often fill to capacity, so early application is recommended.

Notification of Acceptance

We acknowledge receipt of all applications and maintain all application information in strict confidentiality.

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, the Admissions Committee selects a class that balances each participant's experience, the scope of his or her current responsibilities, and the type of organization.

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications four months before the start date, and qualified candidates are admitted on a rolling, space-available basis. Once the review process has begun, applicants are notified within three weeks via email regarding Admissions Committee decisions. If your application is received within three weeks of the program's start date, the Admissions Committee will notify you of their decision as soon as possible.

Need help?

For further assistance, contact our client service specialists at: 1-800-427-5577 (outside the U.S., dial +1-617-495-6555).