Sergei Guriev, a renowned Russian economist who has faced designation as a foreign agent by the Russian authorities, is slated to assume the role of dean at London Business School (LBS). This development was outlined in a formal press release from the educational institution, signaling a strategic leadership move for the premium business school.
According to the statement, Sergei Guriev, who currently serves as vice-rector and professor of economics at Sciences Po in Paris, is expected to become the next dean of London Business School. The transition is presented as part of LBS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its academic leadership and global engagement in economics and business education.
Guriev has previously held prominent roles in international finance and economic policy. Notably, he served as Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 2016 to 2019, where his work focused on shaping policies and research that influence development and growth across European markets. His career has included a period of residence outside Russia after leaving the country in 2013, a move that coincided with broader questions about research freedom and academic collaboration in the region. In March 2023, Guriev appeared on the list of individuals designated as foreign agents by the Russian Ministry of Justice, a designation that has featured prominently in discussions about academic mobility and international scholarly collaboration.
In related developments, the Russian authorities have also highlighted other figures with ties to economics and government policy. Last November, reports indicated that Sergei Aleksashenko, a former Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, was placed on a wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Aleksashenko has been associated with Sanctions-related policy work and has participated in research activities linked to sanctions regimes, including a working group at Stanford University. Russian officials have described his public activities in terms that have raised concerns about treason, underscoring how economics and policy can become focal points in political and legal debates within the country. The possibility of severe penalties has been noted by observers, underscoring the seriousness of these legal considerations in the context of international financial policy and governance. Contemporary reporting on these matters appears in sources such as Newspapers.Ru and other regional outlets, where the coverage emphasizes the intersection of economics, law, and public accountability.
There have been public discussions about the broader implications of these cases for academic freedom, international collaboration, and the governance of financial institutions. Analysts have weighed how leadership appointments at prestigious institutions like LBS may influence global perceptions of the institution’s stance on research independence, intellectual exchange, and engagement with policy communities across North America and Europe. Observers continue to track the evolving relationship between regulatory actions, academic mobility, and the strategic priorities of leading business schools that aim to equip students with insights into global markets, policy dynamics, and sustainable growth. In this context, Guriev’s appointment is viewed by many as a signal of the school’s commitment to high-level economic scholarship and its ongoing contribution to governing debates in finance, development, and governance. Attribution for the critical contextual material can be found in contemporary coverage from regional outlets and industry commentators, which collectively inform readers about the surrounding debates and implications.
As the situation develops, institutions and scholars alike may monitor how leadership changes at major business schools interact with the broader landscape of international research collaboration, sanctions policy, and cross-border academic exchanges. The discussions around Guriev and Aleksashenko illustrate the delicate balance between national policy framing and the global pursuit of knowledge, research integrity, and economic understanding. The case highlights the ongoing importance of transparent governance, academic freedom, and the ability of universities to attract and retain distinguished scholars who can contribute to a robust and globally informed curriculum. The ongoing discourse underscores how leadership appointments at major educational centers can shape perceptions of academic resilience and the role of universities in fostering informed discourse on complex geopolitical and economic topics. This narrative remains a focal point for policy watchers, scholars, and students aiming to understand the interplay between economics, law, and international education. Attribution for the substantive background is drawn from coverage across credible sources cited in professional and news contexts.[citation: Newspapers.Ru]]