Professor Elias Papaioannou appointed to Alexander Knaster Chair in Economics
Leading economist succeeds Professor Julian Franks as part of a prestigious faculty transition at LBS
London Business School has announced the appointment of Professor Elias Papaioannou as the Alexander Knaster Chair in Economics, effective 1 August 2025.
Professor Papaioannou, a globally recognised economist and LBS alumnus (PhD 2000), is currently Professor of Economics, Academic Director of the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development and a Fellow of the British Academy. Elias succeeds Professor Julian Franks who retires from the School in July 2025 following a distinguished career spanning decades of academic excellence.
One of the most cited economists of his generation, Professor Papaioannou’s research spans international finance, political economy, economic history, applied econometrics and development. He is a CEPR Research Fellow and Managing Co-Editor of the Review of Economic Studies.
His appointment is made possible by a generous donation from Mr Alexander Knaster, LBS Executive Fellow in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Chairman and CEO of Pamplona Capital Management, and founder of The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research.
Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School said: “Professor Papaioannou stands out as a leading figure in the field of economics, renowned for his impactful research on international finance, political economy, and economic development. The School is incredibly grateful to Mr. Knaster for making this position possible. His generosity and support will continue to make the difference for years to come.”
Emily Robin, Associate Dean, Advancement, added: “Endowed chairs are the cornerstone of academic excellence at LBS, empowering our School to attract and retain distinguished scholars, foster groundbreaking research, and inspire future generations of business leaders. We’re thrilled by the appointment of Professor Papaioannou as the next Knaster Chair.”
The School pays tribute to Professor Julian Franks, who has held the Knaster Chair since 2019. Julian’s distinguished career at LBS is marked by significant contributions as a teacher, researcher and academic leader. As Professor of Finance, he has influenced generations of students and colleagues through his scholarship on corporate finance, governance and financial regulation. His efforts to bridge academia and industry will have a long-lasting impact on the School.
Sendil Ethiraj, Deputy Dean (Faculty), said: ‘I am delighted that we are appointing Elias - one of the outstanding economists at London Business School and an alumnus of our PhD programme - to this Chair. I am incredibly grateful to Professor Julian Franks for his distinguished contribution in the role and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his research career.’