Executives from Kering, Chalhoub Group and Tiffany & Co. join the advisory board of SKEMA Business School’s MSc Global Luxury Management programme.

As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for luxury retail and international brands, higher education institutions are increasingly partnering with industry leaders to better prepare students for careers in the sector.

SKEMA Business School has announced the appointment of senior executives from Kering, Chalhoub Group and Tiffany & Co. to the advisory board of its MSc Global Luxury Management (GLM) programme, a move aimed at strengthening industry collaboration and ensuring students gain insights into the rapidly evolving luxury market.

The new advisory board members are Miral Youssef, President of Kering Middle East & Africa; Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group; and Robin Langlais, Zone President – Middle East & Africa at Tiffany & Co. and a SKEMA alumnus.

The appointments are intended to bring greater industry expertise into the programme by helping shape its direction, strengthening professional connections and ensuring students develop the knowledge and skills sought by global luxury brands.

Miral Youssef said preparing the next generation of professionals is essential for the future of the industry.

“At the heart of our industry’s future is the next generation. It is our collective responsibility to nurture their potential, support their growth, and equip them with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate an ever-evolving luxury landscape. By reinforcing its ties with industry leaders, SKEMA Business School is contributing to building a new generation of leaders equipped to shape the future of our industry.”

Patrick Chalhoub said industry leaders have a responsibility to share their experience with future professionals.

“Supporting SKEMA’s MSc Global Luxury Management is for me about transmitting knowledge, opening doors and creating spaces where ideas, cultures and perspectives may meet, challenge and enrich one another. Because education, at its core, is an act of care. It is about nurturing talent, encouraging curiosity and helping shape capable, more thoughtful and more connected leaders for the future.”

Robin Langlais, who also graduated from SKEMA, highlighted the importance of linking academic learning with industry practice.

“As a SKEMA alumnus, it is a great honour to contribute to a programme that connects academic excellence with the realities of the luxury industry. The development of the Dubai track reflects the strategic importance of this region for luxury brands worldwide.”

Launched in 2019, the MSc Global Luxury Management programme combines classroom learning with practical projects developed in collaboration with leading luxury companies. Students also have access to specialist certificates, including a Luxury Digital Marketing & Strategy certificate developed with New York University School of Professional Studies, and a Retail Excellence and Client Relationship Management certificate delivered in Dubai in collaboration with LVMH.

The programme encourages students to work on industry challenges, professional workshops and collaborative projects with established luxury brands, providing opportunities to apply their learning in real-world business settings.

SKEMA opened its Dubai campus in 2025 as part of its international expansion strategy. The campus now offers six flagship programmes, including the MSc Global Luxury Management, reflecting Dubai’s growing importance as a centre for luxury retail, innovation and international business.

The latest appointments highlight a broader trend in higher education, with universities increasingly partnering with industry leaders to ensure graduates leave with not only academic knowledge but also practical insights and professional networks that prepare them for careers in competitive global industries.