Prof. em. Dr. Derek F. Abell

Derek Abell was Full Professor of Technology and Management at the ETH Zurich and at the IMD Lausanne on a 50% basis. He was Professor at the IMD Lausanne for the remaining 50%. He retired in October 2003.

Derek Abell was born on September 12, 1938 in England. He studied aeronautical engineering at Southampton University where he obtained his Bachelor-s degree; at the same time he was a student apprentice with Saunders Roe Ltd. In 1964 he joined MIT, Boston, Massachusetts, where he received his Master-s degree. Soon after, he transferred to the Harvard Business School, Boston, where he earned his doctorate. From 1969 to 1981 he was Professor at the Harvard Business School, Boston, and Visiting Professor at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France (1971-1972). From 1981 to 1989 he was Dean of IMEDE, Lausanne, and since then has been Professor at IMD.

Derek Abell teaches and does research in the fields of marketing, strategic planning and general management. He has published five books. The last one, Managing with Dual Strategies, was published by Free Press, New York, in 1993. He also acts as consultant for both U.S. and European multinational corporations, and has served as a consultant to the Polish and ex-Yugoslavian governments. In addition, he has developed and taught numerous executive seminars for large and small companies.

Derek Abell was responsible for the alliance between ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne and IMD; as Director of the program "Leading the Technology Enterprise" (formerly "Leadership Competences Program"), and co-Director of the Center for Technology and Management. At IMD, he was Director of the "Seminar for Senior Executives".