Professor Gerard (Gerry) George, an entrepreneurship specialist, will replace Professor Howard Thomas as the Dean of SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business from January 2015. Prof George made clear that entrepreneurship will be central to his approach to the new job. “I see my role as increasing [the school’s] global visibility, strengthening linkages with industry, government and the region, and encouraging an intellectual climate that is vibrant and relevant to the challenges faced by business and society today,” he said on his appointment. “We can deliver on this promise only by remaining entrepreneurial and nimble in an increasingly crowded market, that’s where I see my skills as creating the most value.”