At the heart of our Executive MBA lies a powerful promise: to deliver world-class education through internationally experienced, fly-in faculty who bring global insights directly to our classrooms. Our lecturers are not only academics — they are thought leaders, board members, consultants, and innovators who shape industries and policies across continents.
More than 40 academic and business experts are involved in the teaching, design and coordination of the Transilvania Executive MBA modules. They bring global expertise from 16 universities and 6 companies around the world, guiding our students to benchmark their thinking against a global standard. With this concept of fly-in faculty, executives have access to global learning without leaving home. Here’s a closer look at some of the exceptional minds guiding our Executive MBA students:
Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer - TEE Research Fellow | EMBA Lecturer | UK & Austria
Dr. Zehndorfer is leading the first EMBA module, Leadership and Organizational Change. A multi-award-winning author and researcher with a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science from Loughborough University, Elesa is a Research Officer for British Mensa and a Quora Top Writer (2017, 2018), bringing a unique blend of intellectual rigour and communication excellence. Her six Routledge titles span leadership, finance, and politics, and she has held academic roles at the University of Hertfordshire and London Metropolitan Business School. She is a founding partner at Lakeside Partners GmbH, specialising in finance, business, and science-related contracts. Her teaching is deeply rooted in real-world board-level experience and global perspectives.
Prof. Ioan Alin Nistor - Chief Economist at Banca Transilvania | Professor at the Faculty of Business, Babeș-Bolyai University | Romania
Ioan Alin Nistor is Professor of Finance at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, specializing in corporate finance, banking, and behavioral finance. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Business from 2012 to 2020 and is currently a board member at BT Asset Management and BT Leasing. In 2024, he was appointed Chief Economist of Banca Transilvania.
He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Hull, a postdoctoral certification from Kobe University in Japan, and a leadership diploma from the Aspen Institute. In 2024, he earned the CFA certificate in ESG Investing. Prof. Nistor has been leading the Finance and Accounting for Business EMBA module since 2022.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevan Williams - Associate Professor of Strategy at Norwich Business School | University of East Anglia | UK
Kevan Williams is an Associate Professor of Strategy, teaching across MBA, Executive MBA, and enterprise-focused programs. His expertise spans strategy, leadership, marketing, and sales, with a strong emphasis on practical business skills and career development. Kevan was the founding course director of the world’s first MBA in Strategic Carbon Management and led the MSc in Enterprise and Business Creation.
With a diverse background in the private, public, and higher education sectors, Kevan is also a company director and founding partner in a consultancy. He holds a PhD and an MBA, and is passionate about enterprise education, especially helping professionals and organisations transition into commercial environments. He is the author of two business books: Strategic Management (Dorling Kindersley) and Brilliant Business Plan (Prentice Hall). Kevan leads the Strategy and Value Creation module.
Prof. Ian Iceton - Honorary Professor | HR & Finance Expert | Buckingham University | UK
Ian Iceton is an Honorary Professor at the University of Buckingham and founder of Autism in Work, a platform dedicated to improving workplace inclusion for neurodivergent individuals. With over 25 years of experience as a Group Human Resources Director, Ian is both financially literate (FCMA) and a chartered HR professional (FCIPD). He also serves as a Pension Trustee and Non-Executive Director.
Ian holds a DBA from Cranfield University, where his research focused on the recruitment and retention of autistic employees. His work combines academic insight with practical HR leadership, offering organisations actionable strategies for building neuroinclusive workplaces. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant on neurodiversity, and has published widely in both academic journals and business media. With a background in engineering project management and senior corporate leadership, Ian brings a unique blend of practical experience and academic insight to his work. He is teaching the People and Performance EMBA module.
Prof. Sanjay Bhasin - Programme Director | Buckingham University | UK
Prof. Bhasin is a globally recognized expert in Operational Excellence, Lean Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement. He holds fellowships from prestigious institutions, including the Chartered Quality Institute and the International Institute of Lean Six Sigma. With over 20 years of consultancy and academic leadership, he has published three books and numerous journal articles. His current role at Buckingham University involves managing doctoral and MSc programmes, building employer partnerships, and leading impactful research. His teaching is deeply practical, focused on solving real-world operational challenges. He is leading the module on Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Dr. Andrew Taylor - TEE EMBA Director | Business Consultant | Lecturer | Romania & UK
Andrew Taylor is Managing Director of Transilvania Executive Education and a seasoned business educator with over 20 years of international experience across Europe, North America, and Asia. He has held roles as a headhunter, management consultant, interim HR Director, and lecturer at institutions such as the University of Hull Business School and Staffordshire University. He holds a Ph.D. from Cardiff University. As a lecturer in the EMBA programme, Andrew teaches courses on Human Resource Management, Leadership & Organisational Change, and Complexity & Network Thinking. Known for his dynamic and engaging style, he brings deep insight into organisational transformation and talent development.
Andrew has worked with global companies including Coca-Cola, PwC, GSK, Vodafone, ING, and Banca Transilvania, and has led award-winning HR and leadership projects. He is the founder of Connect CEE and Endike Associates, and the author of two books on innovation, ethics, and globalisation.
Dr. Fran Hyde - Associate Professor in Marketing | University of Suffolk | UK
Fran Hyde is an Associate Professor in Marketing at the University of Suffolk, with over 20 years of experience in higher education and industry. Her academic leadership includes roles as Interim Dean of the London Centre and Deputy Dean of the Suffolk Business School. She is a passionate advocate for marketing that delivers social value, with a particular focus on nonprofit organisations and ethical practice. Fran’s research explores challenging themes such as end-of-life care marketing, and she has contributed as a reviewer for the Journal of Philanthropy. She is also a trustee and Deputy Chair of a UK hospice, where she leads on corporate governance and risk.
Before entering academia, Fran held senior roles in publishing, including Advertising Director at EMAP and Fashion Manager at Marie Claire. She brings a unique blend of commercial insight and academic rigor to her teaching, which includes modules on digital marketing, consumer behavior, and marketing strategy. She is a lecturer for the Marketing for a Digital World EMBA module.
Drd. Aurel Bernat - Executive Director FI/IR – Banca Transilvania | EMBA Alumnus | Romania
With nearly two decades of experience in investment management and international finance, Aurel Bernat is a key figure in Romania’s financial sector. He currently serves as Executive Director at Banca Transilvania and has previously led BT Asset Management. A Hull EMBA graduate himself, he is also President of the Board at BT Pensii and a Board Member of the Romanian Asset Management Association. His strategic leadership continues to shape the development of BT Capital Partners and BT Pensii, making him an invaluable contributor to our EMBA programme, leading together with Dr. Alin Băiescu the Economics for Managers and Entrepreneurs module.
Dr. Alin T. Băiescu, MBA - Lecturer in Behavioral Economics | Romania
Dr. Alin Băiescu is a senior executive and academic with over two decades of experience in the financial, banking, insurance, and pensions sectors. He holds a PhD in Economics and an EMBA, and has served in leadership roles at multinational companies including Metropolitan Life, Raiffeisen, AEGON, and Eureko. He is also a prolific author, having published multiple books on insurance, behavioral economics, and business strategy.
As Programme Director of the “Behavioural Economics in Practice” executive training, Dr. Băiescu brings cutting-edge insights into human decision-making, cognitive biases, and strategic nudging. His teaching integrates the latest research from Nobel laureates and global thought leaders, empowering executives to influence behavior and drive change within their organizations. He is also known for his engaging masterclasses and his pioneering work in applied behavioral science in Romania. He leads the Economics for Managers and Entrepreneurs module.
Prof. David Harness - Professor of Services Management | Sheffield Hallam University | UK
Prof. Harness is an established academic with 30 years of experience in services marketing and corporate social responsibility. He has led numerous funded research projects on topics ranging from the adoption of bioplastics to urban regeneration. His work has influenced both policy and corporate strategy, with publications in top journals such as the Journal of Business Ethics and Industrial Marketing Management. He has taught at the Universities of Hull, Leeds, and Huddersfield and brings a hands-on, problem-solving approach to executive education, enriched by global consultancy experience. He is leading the Marketing for a Digital World EMBA module.
Rob Lewis, MBA - Healthcare Entrepreneur & Innovation Consultant | UK
With over 30 years in healthcare R&D and leadership roles at Pfizer, GSK, and Reckitt, Rob Lewis is a knowledgeable innovator and entrepreneur. He co-founded FLX Health and Fifty Four Degrees North, and is a member of the Edenic Group consultancy. His expertise spans product development, digital health, consumer insight, and disruptive innovation. Rob brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and industry depth to the EMBA classroom. Rob leads the Digital Disruption module.
Prof. Julian Campbell - MBA Programme Director | Associate Professor of Management Consulting at Norwich Business School | University of East Anglia | UK
Julian Campbell leads the Executive MBA programme at the University of East Anglia and brings decades of consultancy experience in marketing, growth strategy, and entrepreneurship. He has worked internationally, including projects in the US, the Czech Republic, and Kenya. A Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, Julian combines academic rigor with hands-on business strategy, making him a trusted mentor for EMBA students. He leads the Management Consultancy module.
Gavin Betts, MBA - Senior Lecturer | Strategic Management | Sheffield Hallam University | UK
Gavin Betts is a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at Sheffield Hallam University, where he leads Executive MBA programmes in collaboration with Botswana Accountancy College. With over two decades of experience in both academia and the public/private sectors, he brings a strong focus on service transformation and applied management education.
Previously, he held key roles at the University of Hull, including Director of Student Experience and Programme Leader for the Executive MBA. His teaching spans strategic change, decision-making, and responsible business, and he has delivered executive training to corporate clients across sectors. Gavin holds an MBA from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Hull. He is also certified in financial advising and has completed leadership and systems thinking training. His career includes senior roles in economic development, local government transformation, and banking. He is teaching the Systemic Management module.
Raluca Bochiș, MBA - Global Director IT Sustainability Compliance | Emerson | Romania
Raluca Bochiș is a visionary leader with a background in academia and corporate innovation. She co-teaches the EMBA module on Complexity and Strategic Disruption, focusing on how technology and globalization reshape strategy and value creation. As Director of Emerson’s Cluj IT Solutions Center, she brings a unique blend of structured thinking, authenticity, and transformative leadership to the classroom. She graduated from the University of Hull EMBA in 2019.
Dr. David Holliman - Business Development | University of Buckingham | UK
David Holliman is a senior academic and international education consultant with a career spanning both academia and business. He holds two PhDs — one in Business and one in Education — along with master’s degrees in international business analysis, psychology and counselling, and management and business research. He has advised governments worldwide on educational policy, national frameworks, and export strategy, earning the highest non-military award in Kentucky, USA, for his contributions.
Currently serving as Director of Collaborations and Business Development at the University of Buckingham, Dr. Holliman also chairs Holliman Holdings Group and holds advisory and visiting professorships at institutions across the globe. His academic interests include culture, international business, and strategy, and he has visited over 100 countries, bringing a truly global perspective to his teaching. He teaches the Strategy and Value Creation EMBA module.
Prof. Cornel Ban - Associate Professor of International Political Economy | Copenhagen Business School | Denmark
Cornel Ban is an Associate Professor of International Political Economy at Copenhagen Business School. He joined CBS in 2019, following academic roles at City University of London, Boston University, and Brown University. His research focuses on the politics of economic expertise, income distribution, and macroeconomic policy, with a regional emphasis on Brazil, Spain, and Romania. He is the author of two books, including Ruling Ideas: How Neoliberalism Goes Local (Oxford University Press), which won the British International Studies Association’s Political Economy Award.
Professor Ban has led major research initiatives funded by the European Commission and the Institute for New Economic Thinking, and has held leadership roles in global development programs at Boston and Brown Universities. He leads the Governance and Business Ethics module.
Why Our EMBA Faculty Stand Out
● Global Expertise: Lecturers fly in from the UK and beyond, offering international perspectives and best practices.
● Industry Leadership: Many hold senior roles in business, consultancy, and academia, ensuring relevance and impact.
● Applied Learning: Our faculty focus on solving real-world problems, preparing executives to lead with confidence.
● Academic Excellence: With PhDs, MBAs, and fellowships, our lecturers are recognized thought leaders in their fields.
Join our EMBA programme and learn from the best. Our faculty don’t just teach — they inspire, challenge, and empower executives to lead with confidence in a global business landscape. The next class starts in February 2026!
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