Our world class faculty are passionately committed to improving the practice of management. Many of the team have extensive senior management experience and are actively engaged in consultancy and business-relevant research, as well as being closely in touch with the evolving needs of business and government.

The School Executive

Here at Cranfield, the School Executive work closely with the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Cranfield School of Management Professor Lynette Ryals OBE, ensuring that the University operates to the highest standards possible. The team includes senior academic and support managers with diverse skill sets, ranging from academic expertise to extensive, hands-on business experience.

Find out more about the team and their roles and responsibilities below:


  Professor Lynette Ryals OBE
Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Cranfield School of Management


  Professor Joe Nellis CBE
Professor of Global Economy and Deputy Dean
  Professor David Denyer 
Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change
Strategic Business Director

Michael Bourlakis

Professor Michael Bourlakis
Director of Research
Director of Supply Chain, Projects and Sustainable Systems

  Mark Threlfall
Director, Cranfield Executive Development

  Professor Emma Parry
Professor of Human Resource Management
Director of People, Skills and Leadership

  Professor Catarina Figueira
Professor of Applied Economics and Policy
Director of Education


  Professor Stephanie Hussels
Professor of Entrepreneurship
Director of Business Transformation and Growth

Sarah Hatcher
  Sarah Hatcher
Commercial Director

  Graham Bell
Director of Digital Education
    Sarah Tose
Director of Finance and Operations
    Desh Tatla
Senior HR Business Partner