Chartered ABS launches International Students Taskforce

The Chartered ABS has launched its International Students Taskforce, which will explore the challenges UK business schools face in attracting international students and highlighting their contribution to the economy and society. 

The taskforce, chaired by Professor Michael Mainelli, Chairman, Z/Yen Group and President, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will examine how international students studying in the UK’s business schools bring value to the UK and can support the Government’s growth mission.  

Business schools are engines of economic growth and attract the largest share of international students in the UK. International business students help to create a global culture on campus, enhance our soft power abroad, and make vital financial contributions to the economy.  

However, the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination has been adversely affected by key policy changes for international students and the recent Immigration White Paper. These policy changes have led to declines in international student enrolments, placing an unwelcome strain on university finances.  

The taskforce will engage in research and policy analysis that will advocate for the value of international students and business schools. It will publish a range of outputs over the next 12-18 months. 
 
Professor Michael Mainelli, Chairman, Z/Yen Group; President, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry - Chair, Chartered ABS International Students Taskforce said:  

“UK business schools and the international students who pay to be educated here make vital contributions to our economy and society.  Business and management education is a hugely successful international export, yet UK higher education faces complex financial and competitive challenges.  Further restrictions on international student access increases their pressures.  Our Taskforce hopes to show how business schools and universities can help the Government with its growth mission, while also helping the government meet its immigration control objectives.” 

The Taskforce members are drawn from across government, professional bodies and academia. The members are:  

• Dr Scott Bambrick, Dean, Keele Business School 

• Daniel Baxter, Associate Dean International (GSBS), Glasgow Caledonian University 

• Baroness Tessa Blackstone, Peer, House of Lords 

• Ann Francke, CEO, CMI 

• Professor Marian Garcia, Dean, Aston Business School 

• Lord David Gold, Peer/UK Chair, House of Lords / ESCP Business School 

• Anne-Marie Graham, CEO, UKCSIA 

• Louise Graham, Head of Education Partnerships, ACCA 

• Professor Sergei Guriev, Dean, London Business School 

• Stephen Isherwood, Deputy CEO and Head of Research, Institute of Student Employers 

• Dr Abdul Jabbar, Dean of Internationalisation, Leicester Business School, University of Leicester 

• Professor Michael Mainelli, Chairman, Z/Yen Group (Chair) 

• Catherine McGuinness, Advisory Board, City St George’s University 

• James Norman, Director of Operations (Recruitment & Admissions), The Manchester Metropolitan University 

• Dr Patricio Sanchez-Campos, Director of International Study and Student Mobility, Nottingham Business School, University of Nottingham 

• Vicki Stott, Chief Executive, QAA 

• Ian Thomas, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Business and Law, De Montfort University 

• Dr Mazia Yassim, Associate Head of College - External Engagement, Westminster Business School, University of Westminster 

To read the full purpose and aims of the taskforce, click here.