Building competitiveness through continuous learning
Founded by business executives for business executives, we are an independent academic institution with Swiss roots and global reach. We strive to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide.
About the International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
IMD is an independent academic institution with Swiss roots and global reach, founded 75 years ago by business leaders for business leaders. Since its creation, IMD has been a pioneering force in developing leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society.
Based in Lausanne and Singapore, IMD has been ranked in the Top 3 of the annual FT’s Executive Education Global Ranking worldwide for executive education (combined ranking for open & custom programs) since 2012 and in the top five for more than 15 consecutive years.
This consistency at the forefront of its industry is grounded in IMD’s unique approach to creating “Real Learning. Real Impact”. Led by an expert and diverse faculty, IMD strives to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide. Challenging what is and inspiring what could be.
Our purpose
Challenging what is and inspiring what could be, we develop leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society.
Our Values
Origins & history
IMD 75th Anniversary
On 5 November 2021, IMD celebrated its 75th anniversary.
It all began in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1946, as the organization that would one day become IMD took its first steps in executive education.
A lot has happened since then.
Join us on this journey as we bring to light some of the events and people who have shaped our institution, and made it into one of the world’s most influential and impactful business schools.
IMD’s contribution to the regional economy
- 2,500+ alumni in Vaud and 15,000+ in Switzerland, according to the latest figure from the Development & Alumni Relations office.
- 490+ Swiss startups supported through the MBA & EMBA Startup Projects Competition since 1998.
- More than CHF 1.2 million of MBA and EMBA hours invested in Vaud startups.
According to an ‘Impact Report’ guided by EFMD’s Business School Impact System, IMD’s economic contribution to its home city of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud was estimated to be CHF 360 million in 2018.
In addition to pure economic spending, executives and associates who come to IMD for education or work stay an equivalent of 40,000 nights in local hotels every year.
The report also reveals that over 11,000 alumni are based in Switzerland with more than 2,800 in Vaud working for multinationals, small and medium-sized companies, public institutions, and startups.
Download 'Impact Report 2018-2019' (English) (PDF, 3.93MB)
Download 'Rapport d'impact 2018-2019' (French) (PDF, 3.98 MB)
IMD Annual Report 2021
Discover how IMD empowers individuals and organizations and contributes to society in the Annual Report 2021 (see English version below).
You can download the full report (PDF) here.
Previous IMD Annual Reports
IMD Annual Report 2020
When we look back on 2020, in years to come, we will most certainly all remember it as an extraordinary year. At IMD, the year started with considerable momentum, building on the strong revenue growth we had recorded in 2018 and 2019. We were poised for another record year in 2020…until the COVID-19 crisis struck.
For more details, download the full report (PDF, 56.5 MB).
We also offer a French version of the IMD Annual Report 2020 (PDF, 55 MB).
IMD Annual Report 2019
2019 was a milestone year of increased revenues, which supported increased investments. Revenues hit a record high thanks to growth of 9.5 percent compared to 2018. As a Swiss foundation, IMD is not aiming to generate profits, but increasing revenues does enable us to make more investments on the pedagogical, operational and research fronts - including areas such as a pioneering virtual classroom concept. For more details, download the Annual Report 2019 (PDF).
We also offer a French version of the IMD Annual Report 2019 (PDF, 171 MB).
IMD Annual Report 2018
IMD favors a lean organization with minimal bureaucracy. Demand for faculty expertise grew in 2018, as IMD cemented its position as a primary driver of innovative ideas in global busi- ness, executive education and re- search, thanks to its unique “real world” insights and world-re- nowned experts. For more details, download the Annual Report 2018 (PDF, 7.47 MB).
IMD Annual Report 2017
2017 was characterized by continuity, growth and transformation. Since succeeding Dominique Turpin at the helm of IMD at the beginning of 2017, the management team, the board and the IMD community have been working on a set of priorities that will enable IMD to succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s competitive landscape by having a distinctive positive impact on individuals, organizations and the world. For more details, download the Annual Report 2017 (PDF, 3.77 MB).
