Michael Thomas and Poland

Citation

Rydel, M. (2011), "Michael Thomas and Poland", Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 29 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/mip.2011.02029aaa.004

Michael Thomas and Poland

Article Type: Michael Thomas and Poland From: Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Volume 29, Issue 1

It is not easy to describe in few words the rich life that Michael led. It is not easy to express all that Professor Michael James Thomas did for Poland.

We became acquainted in 1974 when I, as British Council scholar, knocked on the door of the Head of the Department of Marketing of the University of Lancaster. After my apprenticeship in marketing, I invited Michael to lead a lecture in international marketing at the University of Gdansk. This was his first visit to Poland in 1977.

The whole of my professional marketing life has been connected with Michael. He directed my way of thinking about marketing management and encouraged me to take actions, which at the time in Poland were not easy. We shared views on many issues. We both had strong hobbies: Michael – bird watching, myself – history of the Polish landed gentry and manor houses. We both loved Chopin and fine art.

In 1989, when the British Council in Warsaw asked me to advise them on management training in Poland, I had no doubts as to who should be my partner on the British side. Michael became Head of the Know How Fund Strathclyde Consortium, helping to set up the Gdansk Foundation for Management Development (GFMD) in 1990. Michael became co-founder of that business school together with myself, the Governor of Gdansk province, the President of the City of Gdansk and the Rector of the University of Gdansk.

In 1991, the first MBA studies in Poland were inaugurated by Princess Anne and by Michael. Today, there are almost 1,000 MBA graduates. Michael made a key contribution to the success of GFMD, which has evolved into one of Poland’s top business schools. For many years, Michael was a member of the Foundation Council and visiting professor at GFKM. This year GFMD is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with over 40,000 graduates. Three managers of GFMD are members of the European Foundation for Management Development – Accreditation Commission – EPAS.

Michael was a great academic. He was a great friend of Poland. In recognition of his contribution to developing and supporting Poland’s emerging economy, he was awarded the prestigious Commander’s Cross of the Polish Order of Merit in 1994 and in 1999 the QBE for his services to Poland by Queen Elizabeth II.

He had many visits to Poland, always ready to help. He loved to meet students and discuss with them their problems. I follow Michael’s example in what I give to my students. Michael had several lives: marketing, bird watching, fine art, music. His life was rich. I am proud to regard myself as his pupil and friend.

Dr Maciej Rydel – former programme director of Gdansk Foundation for Management Development and Head of the Department of Marketing at the University of Gdansk.

Maciej RydelDepartment of Marketing, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland