There are so many reasons why business school rankings continue to be important.
Rankings remain a key factor in the decisions that students make when choosing where to study. They offer visibility for institutions and can be starting points to identify institutions to collaborate and partner with. It’s also a way for business schools to benchmark themselves and analyse their progress compared to other schools.
We’re often asked to showcase school’s incredible achievements in the rankings. From rising numerous places compared to previous years, or perhaps breaking into the top 10, to featuring in the rankings for the first time, there are lots of successes to shout about. Sometimes it’s even worth taking a closer look at the criteria to identify areas of excellence. It could be topping the list in aspects such as diversity or gender equality that make a compelling rankings story, for instance, or honing in on an impressive salary percentage increase or outstanding careers services.
Yet there’s just a handful of business school rankings that really make a big impression on the sector.
One of the most eagerly anticipated business school rankings is provided by The Financial Times.
As a publication, it reaches 22.4 million readers every month. With readers all around the world, many of whom are corporate executives and business leaders, it’s no wonder that the FT business school rankings mean so much to so many.
There are often questions asked about the rankings themselves, and the people who put them together.
So we spoke with Leo Cremonezi, Statistical Journalist and FT Rankings Editor, to find out more about him, his role, how the rankings evolve, and much more. Here’s what he said:
Please tell us about yourself and your background
LC: I'm a Brazilian/ Italian and have lived in London for about 15 years. I specialised in market research after studying classic statistics. I enjoy good food, wine and beach destinations.
What’s your role at the FT?
LC: Based on my background as a statistical journalist, I am currently the editor of FT Rankings. Prior to joining the Financial Times (FT), I was a senior statistical scientist at Ipsos MORI, where I was responsible for leading advanced analytical strategies for prominent media corporations.
What’s your favourite part of the work you do?
LC: Visiting business school campuses in different locations and interacting with individuals involved in the ranking process is a rewarding experience for me. I consistently receive feedback about our approach, innovative ideas and I am constantly exposed to new insights about the industry, which contributes to the refinement of the rankings.
What’s top of your agenda for the upcoming months?
LC: Improving the response rate of our alumni surveys is my top priority. We must investigate and implement innovative communication strategies for the new generation, as they have moved away from using emails.
Are you hoping to make any changes to the rankings?
LC: Yes. We are continually evaluating the participation criteria and methodology based on feedback from schools, alumni, prospective students, and readers. In 2023, we revised the weightings for all the rankings and incorporated more metrics related to sustainability and diversity. We are currently reviewing the research ranking and exploring improved methods for its analysis.
How do you like to communicate best with business schools?
LC: Whilst emails and video calls are effective communication methods, whenever possible, I favour face-to-face communication for its enhanced clarity and connection.
Is there anything else you’d like business schools to know about you or your work?
LC: Do not hesitate to contact me or the rankings team with feedback, ideas and suggestions to improve our publications. We need to work together to keep the rankings a valuable source of information.
There’s an insight into the mind of the FT’s rankings editor and it’s clear to see that the rankings remain an evolving, but important, component of the business school world.
Interested in editorial coverage in the Financial Times? We have a webinar to help that you can watch whenever suits you.
Interested in rankings consultancy? Find out more here.
Author: Stephanie Mullins-Wiles
Stephanie has extensive experience in managing communications outreach for business schools and universities around the world, working with recognised names such as; HEC Paris, Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, & ESMT Berlin. Stephanie is a formally-trained journalist, judge for the Association of MBAs (AMBA) Excellence Awards, a popular blogger for the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and also writes on business education for the Economist.
