Travelling Soldier

The University of Manchester has appointed Professor Michael Luger from Kenan-Flagler Business School, part of the University of North Carolina, to be the new Director of Manchester Business School from January 2007.

Professor Luger is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Center for Competitive Economies at Kenan-Flagler Business School, recognised as one of the United States’ leading business schools in rankings such as The Financial Times, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. 

He has published and presented extensively on economic development issues including infrastructure, research and technology parks, university impact, clusters, tax incentives, workforce dynamics and competitiveness in the new economy.

Professor Luger said, "This is a unique and exciting opportunity to help Manchester Business School achieve its ambition of becoming the best Business School in the UK, and among the top 10 in the world.  I was attracted to the position by the size and scope of the School, and by the vision and energy of the University’s leadership.  I look forward to working with administrators, staff, alumni, students and friends of Manchester Business School in this next stage of development."

Professor Alan Gilbert, President of The University of Manchester, said: "I welcome the appointment of Professor Luger to Manchester Business School.  He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role and is well-placed to help the School achieve its strategic vision of being a world-class centre for business and management education and research."

Before joining the Kenan-Flagler Business School, Professor Luger spent 12 years as chairman of the Department of Public Policy and was the Carl H. Pegg Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina.  He has taught at Duke University and the University of Maryland.  He has also worked at the Greater London Council and is a former Director of Planning for the Model Cities Bureau in Scranton, Philadelphia. 

Professor Luger has an AB (architecture and planning) and MPA (public affairs) from Princeton University, and an MRP (planning) and Ph.D. (economics) from the University of California at Berkeley.

Professor Michael Luger will replace Professor John Arnold, who will step down at the end of this year after 12 years leading Manchester Business School.