Jean-Pierre Lehmann (Washington, 29 August 1945 – Lausanne, 21 December 2017), was the founding director of the Evian Group and respected Professor of International Political Economy at IMD. Jean-Pierre Lehmann was a dedicated thinker and writer, who succeeded in transmitting his knowledge and expertise in poverty reduction and environmental protection to those who met him. His numerous actions in favor of a more inclusive economic development have been an incredible source of inspiration for GIWEH. Due to its outstanding contribution to the mandate of GIWEH, Jean-Pierre Lehmann remains an honorary member of the advisory board of the Institute.
Jean-Pierre Lehmann, was a Professor of International Political Economy at IMD, International Institute for Management Development. His main areas of expertise were the socio-economic and business dynamics of East Asia, the impact of globalization on developing countries and the government-business interface, especially in respect to global trade and investment policy process. He acted in various leading capacities in several public policy forums and organizations.
In 1995, Jean-Pierre Lehmann launched the Evian Group, which consists of high-ranking officials, business executives, independent experts, and opinion leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The Evian Group's focus is on the international economic order in the global era, specifically the reciprocal impact and influence of international business and the WTO agenda.
Prior to joining IMD, Jean-Pierre Lehmann had both an academic and a business career, which over the years has encompassed activities in virtually all East Asian and Western European countries, as well as North America. He was (from 1992) the founding director of the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) at the Stockholm School of Economics and Professor of East Asian Political Economy and Business. From 1986 to 1992, he established and directed the East Asian Operations of InterMatrix, a London-based business strategy research and consulting organization. During that time, he operated primarily from Tokyo, with offices in Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, and Jakarta, and was concurrently an Affiliated Professor of International Business at the London Business School.
Other previous positions include: Associate Professor of International Business at INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration) in Fontainebleau, France, Visiting Professor at the Bologna Center (Italy) of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, twice in the 70s Visiting Professor and Japan Foundation Fellow at the University of Tohoku, Sendai (Japan), and Founding Director of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Stirling (Scotland), where he also taught East Asian History in the University's History Department. From 1981 to 1986, he directed the EC-ASEAN 'Transfer of Technology and Socio-Economic Development Programs,' held in Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala-Lumpur, and Manila.
Jean-Pierre Lehmann obtained his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, Washington, DC, and his doctorate from Oxford University (St Antony's College). He was the author of several books and numerous articles and papers primarily dealing with modern East Asian history and international political economy.