Graphical version

London Business School

London Business School: Administrative Records


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 2648 LBS

Held at: London Business School

Title: London Business School: Administrative Records

Date(s): 1965-1998

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 64 boxes

Name of creator(s): London Business School

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

In April 1963 the National Economic Development Council (NEDC) recommended the establishment of a high level business school or institute run on the lines of the Harvard Business School or the School of Industrial Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In the same year, the Robbins Committee on Higher Education recommended the establishment of two post-graduate schools of business education in the UK.

Following the NEDC Report, Lord Franks was asked to study the problem of establishing a business school or schools. The Franks Report recommended the establishment of two high quality schools, as part of existing universities (London and Manchester) but enjoying considerable autonomy. The schools would offer courses for about 200 post-graduates and 70-100 post-experience students.

A committee was established under Lord Normanbrook to consider the costs and practicalities of establishing two business schools. The committee recommended that the expenditure should be shared between the Government, through the University Grants Commission (UGC), and business. As a result, the government agreed to bear half the capital and running costs of the two schools. The Foundation for Management Education, the Federation of British Industries, and the British Institute of Management sponsored an appeal for £3 million from the business world.

An Academic Planning Board was established for the new London school under the chairmanship of Lord Plowden, with representatives from the London School of Economics (LSE), Imperial College and the business world. The school was to be formally known as the London Graduate School of Business Studies, and informally as the London Business School. The Academic Planning Board first met in June 1964, and the full 21 member Governing Body in November 1964. The two sponsoring institutions, LSE and Imperial College both nominated four members and then approved the full list.

Temporary premises were acquired in Northumberland Avenue, and Dr Arthur Earle, Deputy Chairman of Hoover Ltd was appointed Principal. The first academic appointments, two professors, a senior lecturer and a lecturer were appointed from October 1965.

The School established two post-experience courses, the Executive Development Programme designed for middle managers, which would last 12 weeks and cover the application of analysis and measurement, human behaviour and the environment of business. The Senior Executive Programme would last six weeks, and cover the broad strategy of business. The postgraduate programme was to last two academic years, and lead to the degree of MSc from the University of London. The range of studies was divided into three broad categories, data for decisions, analysis for decisions, and the environment of decisions. Students would also study applied decision-making in the functional fields of marketing, finance, production, personnel and business policy. The first post-experience courses started in February and May 1966, and the first MSc course began with 39 students in October 1966

The School moved to its present home in Sussex Place, Regent's Park in August 1970. New programmes were developed; the doctoral programme began in September 1970, the International Management Programme for MBA students in 1972, the New Enterprise Programme for individuals wishing to start their own businesses in 1979, and the Extended Enterprise Programme or 'Firmstart', aimed at owner-managers of young companies in 1986. The first research institute, the Institute of Finance and Accounting was set up in 1973, the Centre for Management Development followed in 1975, and the Institute of Small Business Management in 1976.

The School is administered by a Governing Body, which discusses major questions affecting the development and work of the School, including financial planning and the appointment of the Dean. The Governors also approve the accounts and perform such other formal corporate business as may be required. The Management Board advises the Dean and Governing Body on the development and implementation of major policies affecting programmes and research activities, staffing, premises and finances. The Management Committee is responsible for taking and implementing administrative and academic decisions necessary for the management of the School. It refers all fundamental academic or constitutional decisions to the Management Board. The School has a network of seven Regional Advisory Boards, covering Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the UK. Each Regional Advisory Board has a Chair, a Faculty Advisor, and a Student Liaison Officer. The School also has an Alumni Board, which represents the views of alumni and makes recommendations on a range of issues to the Governing Body.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Administrative records of the London Business School, 1965-1998, comprising:
Governing Body minutes and papers, 1976-1998, including copy of Royal Charter, lists of Governors and correspondence on Governing Body membership;
Executive Committee minutes and papers, 1981-1983;
Management Board minutes, 1989-1993
Faculty Board minutes and papers, 1986-1989, including Doctoral Programme reports, 1986-1988; review of LBS subject areas by Academic Board, 1986; reports of the Sloan Programme, 1987-1988; reports of the Design Management Unit, 1987-1989; report of Masters' Programmes, 1987-1989; reports of Institute of Finance and Accounting, 1987-1988; reports of Centre for Business Strategy, 1987-1988; reports of Computing Services, 1987-1989; Library reports, 1987-1989; reports of the Centre for Management Development, 1987-1988; report of the New Enterprise/Extended Enterprise programmes, 1987; report of Information Systems and Computing Committee, 1987; report of London Executive Programme, 1987; report of Continuing Executive Programme, 1988; reports of the Alumni Association, 1988-1989; report of the Programme for Enterprise, 1988; report of the Centre for Marketing and Communications, 1988; report of the Audio-Visual Unit, 1989; report of the Financial Services Unit, 1989;
Buildings and Estates papers, 1965-1997, including architects plans for Sussex Place, 1967; Land Registration original documents, 1965-1988; Park Road shops - correspondence and management report, 1989-1991; Taunton Place building, 1996-1997; Windsor Castle Public House, Park Road, 1982-1989; gardens and landscaping papers, 1990-1992; Park Road planning appeal papers, 1979;
House Committee minutes and correspondence, 1969-1987;
Appointments Committee: correspondence, applications and minutes, 1973-1976;
Investment Committee: minutes and papers, 1983-1986, 1989-1995; Phillips & Drew Investment Reports, 1987-1989;
Computing Service: papers, 1988-1992;
Dean for Executive Education: correspondence 1989-1992;
Library Papers, 1985-1992;
Centre for Management Design: correspondence, 1975-1987;
Paintings and Gifts: correspondence and photographs, 1965-1990;
MBA Programme: correspondence and papers, 1972-1993;
External Affairs: correspondence, 1989-1994;
Personnel Department: papers, 1990-1994;
Coopers & Lybrand (Chartered Accountants): correspondence, 1964-1998;
University Grants Committee/Universities Funding Council/HEFCE: correspondence and papers, 1987-1994; HEFCE Auditors Visit, Apr 1995, correspondence and papers;
George Bain (Principal 1989-1997): Report on Bain's visit to US business schools, 1989;
Fundraising: Development Office reports and correspondence, 1990-1991; Development Advisory Board - Minutes and Papers, 1991-1993;
Regent's College: papers on proposed purchase, 1994-1995.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Papers arranged according to originating department or individual.

Conditions governing access:

No access is currently available, though researchers may apply to the Librarian.

Conditions governing reproduction:

At the discretion of the Librarian.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Box Lists available in the Library.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Papers generated and retained in situ by the LBS.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Material is also held by other departments and individuals at LBS, including the Development Office, which holds historical data on corporate connections and alumni; the Media and Communications Department holds a collection of photographs by Tom Bulatovic; the MBA Office has a collection of LBS memorabilia including 'mugshot' books, brochures and recruiters guides.

Publication note:

Managerial Catalyst: The Story of the London Business School, 1964-1989 by William Barnes (London, 1989)

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Sources: Managerial Catalyst: The Story of the London Business School, 1964-1989 by William Barnes (London, 1989) and LBS website. Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: April 2002


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Academic buildings | Educational buildings
Higher education | Educational levels
Management education | Vocational education
Marketing | Markets | Trade
Postgraduate courses | University courses | Educational courses
Universities | Higher education institutions | Educational institutions
Vocational school curriculum | Curriculum

Personal names
Bain | Sir | George Sayers | b 1939 | Knight | Principal, London Business School

Corporate names
HEFCE | Higher Education Funding Council for England x Higher Education Funding Council for England
London Business School
UGC | University Grants Committee x University Grants Committee

Places
Park Road | Regent's Park | St Marylebone | London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe
Camden