Leo Johnson is a leading authority on transformational leadership and strategic innovation, with extensive experience in guiding universities through systemic disruptions. He is a Lecturer and Business Fellow at Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise & Environment, lecturing in Transformational Leadership at Oxford’s most applied for graduate programme. His expertise... Read more
Leo Johnson is a leading authority on transformational leadership and strategic innovation, with extensive experience in guiding universities through systemic disruptions. He is a Lecturer and Business Fellow at Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise & Environment, lecturing in Transformational Leadership at Oxford’s most applied for graduate programme.
His expertise focuses on the intersection of global megatrends and business resilience, advising higher education leaders among others, on navigating challenges such as digital transformation, the challenges of sustainability demographic shifts, and the integration of AI-driven technologies into academic and operational frameworks.
The former head of PwC’s Disruption & Innovation team, Johnson’s advisory work emphasises practical strategies for institutions grappling with new pedagogic needs, declining enrolment, Technology enabled competition, cybersecurity threats, and financial sustainability.
Johnson’s publications, including “The Turnaround Challenge” (Oxford University Press), explore technological paradigm shifts and solutions for universities facing rapid technological, societal and demographic change.
Through FutureProofing, his BBC series on innovation and megatrends, Johnson analyses how higher education can leverage emerging technologies like augmented reality, AI-powered learning analytics and block chain enabled micro credits to enhance student outcomes. He is now engaged in an innovative project to reshape the business school curriculum towards sustainability.
His novel research on the “Paradox of Intent” at Oxford identifies Institutional threat rigidity and leadership barriers that hinder institutions from transforming.