Adecco, the world’s largest staffing company, announces the launch of the Adecco International University, in partnership with IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland, one of the world’s top 10 business schools according to Financial Times and Business Week rankings.

Adecco’s International University will be a platform for building on Adecco’s unique expertise in global labour markets to deliver further strategic innovation to clients, and enhanced IP transfer throughout the organisation. The International University will have two streams – Top Management and International Executive Development.

Jérôme Caille, CEO of Adecco, said: “Recruitment of ambitious, focused and innovative leaders, with a strong international outlook, has been key to Adecco’s rapid leadership of the global employment agency market.”

“We have partnered with IMD, one of the best global business schools, to further develop our culture of industry innovation, leadership and knowledge transfer throughout our world-wide network of some 28,000 people across 68 territories.”

The International Executive Development Programme will essentially be a high level leadership programme for approximately 120 of Adecco’s senior managers across the world. Through the partnership with IMD, Adecco will have full access to the business school’s resources, including its international network and world-renowned Faculty.

Dr. Peter Lorange, President, IMD, added: “We are proud to partner with Adecco to build and deliver their International University. Adecco’s global knowledge of employment markets is unrivalled, and it will be a very powerful collective intellect to harness further. The International Executive Development Programme will run as a six-day intensive session for three groups this year, supported with online modules, and we look forward to working creatively with Adecco’s leaders from around the world.”

Adecco is also launching a separate National University, an online, 24/7 learning tool the purpose of which is to enhance knowledge sharing and develop the leadership and management skills of branch workers.

Caille continued: “We have a strong internal culture of entrepreneurialism, knowledge sharing and best practice management. The Adecco National University will strengthen this throughout our global network of just under 6,000 branches.”

IMD is a leading global business school based in Lausanne, Switzerland. For over 60 years, IMD has worked with leading global companies to develop and retain management talent. IMD is the “global meeting place”: the most international of business schools worldwide. It offers learning based on innovative and highly relevant research that can be applied to business challenges immediately. This is IMD's "Real World. Real Learning" approach (www.imd.org).

IMD is ranked number one worldwide in executive education (Financial Times, 2008). IMD’s MBA is ranked first worldwide (Economist, 2008).

Press Release (PDF, 32 KB)