Georg Guttmann

Georg Guttmann is Affiliate Professor of Corporate Governance and Strategy. His work focuses on the strategic leadership role of boards of directors and on how effective governance enhances strategic decision-making and long-term value creation.

A recognized expert at the intersection of governance research and boardroom practice, he works closely with chairs, non-executive directors, and executive committees of large Swiss and European companies. His work supports the ongoing professionalization of boards, helping them move beyond compliance and act as sparring partners for CEOs and management. In particular, he works with boards on governance practices, decision-making quality, and boardroom dynamics as they address complex strategic issues in environments shaped by rapid change, technological innovation, and uncertainty.

Before joining IMD, Guttmann was Assistant Professor of International Corporate Governance at the University of St. Gallen, where he also served as Founding Director of the St. Gallen Board Programs. In this role, he built and led a comprehensive portfolio of open and customized programs for chairs, board members, and senior executives of large publicly listed, private, family-owned, and private-equity-backed firms across Europe.

At IMD, he teaches across degree and executive programs and serves, among other roles, as Program Director of IMD’s Certificate in Board Governance. His teaching focuses on sharpening judgment and fostering peer learning among experienced leaders, creating settings where participants explore the skills, mindsets, and behaviors required for effective board service. His prior academic and professional roles include appointments in Switzerland and abroad, including a visiting scholar position at Singapore Management University.

Guttmann’s research examines how boards shape strategic outcomes in multinational firms, with particular attention to board leadership, director expertise, and boardroom dynamics. This work informs both academic debate and the design of governance practices that enhance board effectiveness.

He holds a PhD in strategy and management from the University of St. Gallen and is actively engaged in international academic and professional communities focused on corporate governance and strategy.