Transformational £3 million gift to establish the Dawson Chair in Strategy and Entrepreneurship
LBS announces a landmark £3 million philanthropic donation from alumnus John Dawson MiFPT1995 and his wife Sam
London Business School is delighted to announce a landmark £3 million philanthropic donation from alumnus John Dawson MiFPT1995 and his wife, Sam. This generous gift will endow and name the Dawson Chair in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, strengthening the School’s academic capabilities in this vital area and advancing its mission to inspire the next generation of business innovators.
John and Sam’s contribution reflects their deep appreciation for the School and their belief in the lasting value of business education. John credits his experience on our part-time Master’s in Finance programme (1993–1997) as foundational to his career. Together, they co-founded and built Alliance Pharma Plc, a highly successful prescription medicines and consumer healthcare company.
The couple’s gift represents a powerful commitment to supporting academic excellence and innovation at LBS and beyond.
Professor Sergei Guriev, Dean, said: “We are deeply honoured by John and Sam's remarkable gift, which will significantly strengthen our academic capabilities in strategy and entrepreneurship. This endowment will ensure that London Business School continues to lead in these vital fields, inspiring innovation and excellence for generations of business leaders to come."
Emily Robin, Associate Dean, Advancement said: “The establishment of the endowed chair in strategy and entrepreneurship marks a significant milestone for all of us at London Business School. I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our alumnus John and his wife Sam for their invaluable support, and I look forward to the profound impact this endowment will have on our community and beyond.”
The Dawson Chair will help ensure that the School continues to attract and retain world-class faculty in strategy and entrepreneurship, areas that are critical to business innovation, economic growth and societal progress.
This gift also exemplifies the powerful role our alumni and supporters play in shaping the future of the School. We are deeply grateful to John and Sam for their generosity and vision.