Interview Dr David Beech

Business Psychologist

How would you describe yourself as a trainer for the executive education
I am a business psychologist with a PhD in Social Psychology (leadership behaviour and effectiveness) from the University of Sussex, and an expert in evidence-based leadership development. With extensive international experience gained over 20 years I have held managerial roles in organizations such as Unilever, Siemens, and Duracell, and executive development roles across Europe for BMW, EADS, Henkel-Ecolab, and Saint Gobain, in Dubai for Emirates Airlines, and in Asia for Novartis.

What is your specific pedagogical approach with the executive public?
I design and facilitate customised action centred learning environments in which participants are supported in applying their own knowledge and expertise to their professional issues, using tools and techniques derived from cutting edge research that is both rigorous and relevant for practical purposes.

What are the big issues that companies will be facing in the field of executive education?

• Developing leadership capabilities for sustainable performance and innovation in evolving, diverse, and ambiguous networks of relationships;

• Developing organizational and governance capabilities for enterprise, transparency, and accountability;

• Developing an appreciation of leadership, organizing, and enterprise as indeterminate, creative, ambiguous, and evolving social processes requiring the continuous development and exercise of the highest levels of professional skill and judgement;

• Measuring the added value of returns on investments in executive education and research.