Rupert Hoogewerf joins Durham University Business School as a Professor of Practice
Durham University Business School has appointed Rupert Hoogewerf to its academic staff as part of its new Professors in Practice initiative.
Professors in Practice has been designed to recognise the expertise and experiences of senior business professionals across a wide variety of disciplines and sectors, by enabling such individuals to share their skills directly with students, bringing public distinction and practical insights to the classroom.
Professors in Practice will also provide new connections for Durham University’s faculty, enabling them to engage directly with public policy and business practice through their research.
Rupert is a Durham University alumnus, who graduated with a degree in Chinese with Japanese in 1993. After subsequently spending seven years as a qualified chartered accountant at Arthur Andersen in London and Shanghai, Rupert founded the Hurun Research Institute – a household brand across China and the world’s largest Rich List provider, ranking over 5000 individuals annually. Now in its 20th year, Hurun Report Inc. has grown into a leading research platform responsible for creating and delivering over 100 business-focused events each year in China, including industry-respected awards.
As Chairman and Chief Researcher of the Hurun Report Inc., Rupert works with financial institutions (PingAn, Bank of China, Taikang Life, Minsheng, Citic), local government (Shanghai, Changbaishan) and Global 500 multinationals (Marriott, Country Garden, Agile, Audi, Volvo).
Rupert was confirmed in his three year tenure beginning 1st November 2018 by Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor Stuart Corbridge, who was attending the Hurun Entrepreneurs Summit in Beijing on 2nd November.
The Vice-Chancellor said,
“Rupert is widely regarded as one of the most influential opinion formers in China and as a Durham graduate he reflects the University’s own global aspirations. Under Rupert’s steerage Hurun’s business extension into media, conferences and investments, together with geographical expansion into South Asia and the Middle East show exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, so it is fitting for me to confirm his appointment at this prestigious event today.”
In his new role Rupert will be drawing on his own entrepreneurial story that led to him to establish the Rich List and change attitudes towards the perception of wealth in Chinese society to contribute to the Business School’s teaching of entrepreneurship. There will also be the opportunity to present on economic development and wealth generation in China over the last two decades as a guest speaker on a selection of the Business School’s programmes and at alumni events in Durham, London or in China.
Professor Susan Hart, Dean of Durham University Business School has welcomed Rupert’s appointment,
“His relationship with the Business School is longstanding. Our students will benefit enormously from Rupert sharing his insights and contribution on our already strong teaching of entrepreneurship. I am also sure Rupert will be able to introduce us to other exciting partnerships in China,” she said.
Celebrating his appointment at the 2018 Hurun Most Respected Entrepreneurs Award conference in Beijing, Rupert Hoogewerf said:
“My passion in life has been to celebrate the success of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and to continually inspire the next generation coming after them. This vision for entrepreneurship has helped me to found and grow Hurun for these last 20 years. I am deeply honoured to have been made one of Durham University’s first Professors in Practice and hope to channel my passion in service of developing future generations of creative, determined, and enterprising graduates at the University.”
Rupert joins other Professors in Practice; Danny Griffiths – currently Vice President of European Business & Organisational Transformation, Paris and former Global Head of Labour Relations and MD of Nissan Europe, Andrew Harrison – Principal at Ogilvy APAC, with MD roles at Nestle, Coca-Cola and P&G, Carl Hunter – a former Greenjacket Officer in the British Army and CEO of Coltraco Ultrasonics and Andrew Wright – Independent Consultant and former Ofgem board member who was recently appointed as a Professor in Practice for both the Business School and Engineering Department.