Minouche Sha k to step down as LSE Director

Aarti Malhotra Executive Editor

On 18 January, via an email to LSE’s student body and sta , LSE announced that Baroness Minouche Sha k will be stepping down as LSE Director this summer. Sha k will be taking up a new role as the President of Columbia University.

In a statement, Sha k said, “It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to play my part and serve such a passionate and dedicated community who continue to inspire, support and learn from each other. LSE is a very special place and together we have achieved a great deal to make it an even more outstanding centre for teaching, research and positive impact on the world. We have also strengthened our community during challenging times and built a campus that is truly beautiful and world class.

“I want to wholeheartedly thank everyone for being such wonderful colleagues and students – I have enjoyed every day working with all of you. I must express profound gratitude to the School Management Committee, a team I am proud to be a part of, and Council, both cur- rent and past members, for your excellent contributions, wise counsel and collaborative leadership during my tenure.”

According to the email, the process of choosing Minouche’s successor is “underway.” e email stated, “LSE’s Council has instructed a specialist search rm and appointed a committee to oversee the work. e process of appointing an interim President and Vice Chancellor will commence immediately.

Susan Liautaud, LSE’s Chair of Council, also commented, “As Chair of Council and on behalf of all members, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Minouche for her exceptional leadership of LSE. I am sure that all students, sta , alumni, partners and friends will join me in expressing gratitude for all that Minouche has done for our School, and we wish her the very best for the future.”

Minouche was a postgraduate student at LSE in 1986 and joined as Director in 2017.