Making a difference to leadership

AUTHOR: Lachlan Colquhoun   DATE: 20.04.06   ISSUE 1, 2006

He has worked with some of the world’s largest banking and finance institutions and has built a successful career in HR and executive development. For much of his career, he worked offshore with organisations such as Bank of America, Standard Chartered and Aviva.

In March of this year, Graeme Gherashe returned to AGSM, this time as the Director of Executive Programs. He has come to the Executive Programs role from the Aviva insurance group in London, where he held a number of positions including HR Director of Aviva Life International and Director of Group Management Development.

Graeme Gherashe’s vision is to develop broader and deeper relationships with AGSM’s corporate partners and to expand into the emerging markets of Asia.

Photo: Graeme Gherashe

In the latter role, Gherashe was instrumental in the implementation of the Aviva Leadership Academy, the goal of which was to manage and develop the leadership capabilities of the organisation’s high performing, high potential executives. The Academy is a collaboration between Aviva and several world class business schools in the USA, UK and Europe.

“My AGSM role plays to my experience, strengths and interests,” he says.

“Having been directly responsible for corporate talent management, I understand what organisations are looking for when it comes to knowledge building in management.

“The role also provides me with an opportunity to become more deeply involved in areas of interest to me such as aligning resources and strategy, innovation, culture and moral purpose.”

“By tapping into the ideas and diversity of our great thinkers, teachers and practitioners, AGSM can develop people to make a positive contribution at both the individual and corporate level.

AGSM helped to propel me into a diverse and rewarding career.

Gherashe says he was also attracted to the role because of the opportunity it provided to build on the already solid brand and reputation of AGSM.

The school’s Executive Programs are ranked by the Financial Times as the best in Australia and Asia for Open Enrolment Programs and for Custom Programs.

Gherashe’s vision is to develop ‘broader and deeper’ relationships with AGSM’s corporate partners and to expand into the emerging markets of Asia where AGSM is highly regarded for its MBA qualification.

“Not everyone will want to do an MBA and not every company will want to sponsor an employee to do one, so we have to be very targeted in what we do and deliver relevant bespoke learning.

“The Executive Program suite is a great way to introduce people to AGSM and perhaps interest them in moving to an MBA, so the programs work together and not in isolation from each other. In addition, the executive programs are an excellent supplement to our graduates and can be viewed as a top-up or masterclass.”

“I think there are real opportunities expanding in Asia on the strength of our existing brand and I’m looking forward to playing a part in this new phase for AGSM,” he says.

Quite often, he says, people will enjoy the ‘taste’ of AGSM Executive Education and then take the step toward an MBA or MBA (Executive), so the programs can work as a ‘feeder’ source for the school as a whole.

As an alumnus, Gherashe is fully aware of the benefits AGSM has conferred.

“It gave me the skills and tools I would not have acquired as readily,” he says.

“There’s no doubt it helped to propel me into a diverse and rewarding career.

“I am delighted to be back with a great school and one positioned to make a real contribution to the quality of leadership in Australia and Asia.”