Our history
Founded in 1965, we are one of the UK's first business schools.
In 2025, we celebrate our 60th anniversary.
The last 10 years
In the past 10 years, a lot has happened. We got our current name, campus building and Executive Education Centre - and that's not even half of it.
AMBS launches its inaugural Festival of Business, as part of The University of Manchester's Bicentenary Celebrations.
In the same year, AMBS retains its triple accreditation status (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) following AMBA and EQUIS assessment visits.
On 1 August 2023, Professor Ken McPhail becomes Head of Alliance Manchester Business School. He succeeds Professor Fiona Devine CBE, who became Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.
Alliance Manchester Business School is placed third in the UK for research power - which measures the quality and scale of research impact - in the UK government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
The Productivity Institute launches - a £32m institute funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to make the UK economy more productive. The institute is headquartered at AMBS.
The School's new campus building is officially opened by Lord David Alliance of Manchester CBE on 11 June 2019.
The event includes a discussion between Andy Haldane, The Bank of England's Chief Economist and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester.
Alliance MBS building reopens following an £85 million renovation. The new building features a full interior and exterior refurbishment, providing first class teaching, learning and office spaces.
The AMBS Magazine is launched. The biannual magazine highlights thought leadership from staff, students, visitors and alumni.
In the same year, AMBS' new Executive Education Centre and adjoining hotel are also completed.
The School is renamed Alliance Manchester Business School, in recognition of Lord Alliance's generous donation and his long-standing relationship with the University and Business School.
The School's annual Grigor McClelland Lecture is also launched in the same year. This event explores the interaction between business, education and social responsibility - an area pioneered by Alliance MBS' founding director Professor Grigor McClelland.
Going back further
In the years 1990-2013 we merged into one University and expanded to the Middle East and China.
Fiona Devine, OBE becomes Head of MBS.
Fiona was previously Head of Sociology (2004-07) and Head of the School of Social Sciences (2009-13). She joined The University of Manchester in 1994 and was promoted to Professor in 2001.
Our China Centre officially opens in Shanghai.
In the same year, Eddie Davies, OBE, CBE becomes Chair of the MBS Advisory Board.
Professor Michael Luger becomes Dean and Director of the Business School. He joins us from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Professor of Public Policy, Business and Planning.
MBS expands to the Middle East when The University of Manchester - Dubai officially opens.
The merger between Victoria University of Manchester and The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) creates the 'new' University of Manchester, and the UK's largest business and management school.
MBS's first website launches.
Manchester School of Management develops the UK's first joint degree and professional qualification.
Manchester Federal School of Business and Management established - a precursor to the 2004 merger.
Manchester School of Management develops joint MSc with School of Accounting & Finance.
And further
In the years 1968-1987 our first Full-time MBA cohort graduated, we launched our Vital Topics lecture series and there were talks of becoming one University.
Discussions begin over close links between MBS, UMIST and Manchester School of Accounting & Finance.
IBM chooses MBS to develop innovative approaches in management teaching.
Sir Cary Cooper becomes Head of UMIST's Department of Management Sciences.
A programme on Research in Science and Technology begins.
The School launches its Vital Topics lecture series welcoming the great and good of management, industry and commerce to the School, bringing powerful ideas and original thinking to audiences from the Manchester city-region and beyond.
MBS moves to its previous location, MBS West.
Department of Management Sciences becomes UMIST's largest undergraduate department.
First Full-time MBA cohort graduates from MBS.
The School of Accounting & Finance is established.
Our beginnings
In 1965, Manchester Business School opened its doors - we've come a long way since then.
The Manchester Method of learning is developed by the School's 'founding fathers'.
Manchester Business School opened, led by Grigor McLelland.
The first cohort begins BSc in Management Sciences.
Published in 1963, the Franks report recommended that two business schools should be set up in Manchester and London, in association with existing universities.
Health Services Management Unit established by Professor Teddy Chester. The School now holds an annual Teddy Chester lecture to mark his contribution.
Department of Industrial Administration established.
Victoria University of Manchester (VUoM) founded.
From 1892, the Technical School was funded by the Manchester Corporation, partly from national taxes, and it came to be known as the Manchester Municipal Technical School.
Modelled on German technical high schools, a huge new building - now called the Sackville Street Building - was opened in 1902. After the First World War, the Technical School was renamed the Manchester Municipal College of Technology.
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) founded as the Manchester Mechanics Institute.