WARSAW, Poland, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Global postgraduate business education accreditation and membership organisation appoints new leader to guide next phase of growth

On the first day of its annual International Conference for Deans and Directors, the Association of MBAs (AMBA) announced the appointment of Andrew Main Wilson as its new Chief Executive. Main Wilson, former Chief Operating Officer of the Institute of Directors, will join the international postgraduate business education accreditation and membership organisation on 5 August, 2013.

Main Wilson joins AMBA at a time of growth for the organisation. Its strategy focuses on the quality and expansion of international accreditation for MBA, DBA and MBM programmes and membership services to enhance continual professional development, career resources, networking and connecting MBAs with the business world.

"AMBA's Board of Trustees is delighted to appoint Andrew Main Wilson as Chief Executive. He has a wealth of experience in membership, management education and employer engagement, which are the three strategic priorities key to AMBA's international growth. We are confident he is the right person to lead us through our next phase of development," said Chris Russell, Chairman of AMBA's Board of Trustees.

Introducing the new Chief Executive to Deans and Directors from the world's leading business schools gathered at its three day conference to discuss the future of management education, AMBA's Chairman added: "AMBA's current strategy has seen membership grow by five per cent in the last year and accreditation grow to more than 800 MBA, DBA and MBM programmes at 201 business schools worldwide. Andrew's vision, leadership and international experience will help take the Association to its next level of growth."

Main Wilson's extensive management experience includes running a premium brand  membership organisation and building high level executive education services during his sixteen years with the Institute of Directors (IoD) as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of IoD Enterprises. During this period he launched a suite of qualifications including the Certificate and the Diploma in Company Direction and the Privy Council approved Chartered Director Accreditation. Before joining the IoD he was Marketing and Commercial Director of Thomas Cook and Sales and Marketing Director of Citibank Diners Club.

As AMBA continues its growth, Main Wilson will bring a global outlook and passion for international leadership issues. He has travelled to more than 150 countries and interviewed many of the world's most famous leaders, including Bill Gates, Jack Welch, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Lady Thatcher in her last ever filmed interview.

"AMBA is a truly global business organisation with enormous potential for further growth which is why I am very excited to join as Chief Executive," said Andrew Main Wilson. "Operating as both an accreditation and membership organisation, AMBA is unique in the postgraduate management field, as it brings together the business leaders of tomorrow with the thought leaders of today."

"I look forward to working closely with the world's leading business schools and AMBA's MBA members to ensure outstanding postgraduate management education continues to be the top priority for employers, governments and ambitious executives who will become the global business leaders of the future."

Main Wilson joins Deans and Directors from more than 140 business schools in 40 countries who are attending AMBA's International Conference (15 - 17 May 2013) entitled 'Beyond tomorrow: anticipate and act'. The annual event gives top management from accredited business schools the opportunity to come together to exchange knowledge, best practice and ideas on key issues facing MBA programmes including the virtual classroom, emerging markets, programme differentiation and future MBA careers.

For more information on the Association of MBAs go to http://www.mbaworld.com/press

Photos available on request

SOURCE The Association of MBAs