Wharton names new dean

The Wharton school at the University of Pennsylvania has named Thomas Robertson, 64, as its new dean.

Prof Robertson, professor of marketing and the former dean of Goizueta Business School at Emory University, Atlanta, will take up the new role at the beginning of August.

Prof Robertson, a scotsman, will be a familiar face at Wharton. He was a faculty member at the school from 1971 to 1994 and was chair of the marketing department. He was also associate dean for executive education and was heavily involved in fundraising for the school.

A career academic, Prof Robertson held the position of deputy dean at London Business School for three years in the 1990s and was widely tipped to become dean at LBS. However, he was beaten to the job by then Harvard marketing professor John Quelch.

While dean of Goizueta he doubled revenues and nearly doubled the school’s endowment. He also increased the size of the faculty by more than 70 per cent.

His expertise lies in the fields of marketing strategy and competitive behaviour.

“I relish the challenge to help build Penn’s global footprint and to champion Wharton as a force for good in the world,” says Prof Robertson.

“We have outstanding faculty and students and a dedicated staff and are well positioned to create global economic and social value.”

Prof Robertson is succeeding Patrick Harker who has been dean of Wharton since 2000.

www.wharton.upenn.edu