At a festive reception yesterday, numerous representatives of long-standing partner companies and other important sponsors and supporters gathered on the HSBA campus. On behalf of the entire university, Silke Grimm, Chair of the Board of Trustees, thanked all those present for their special support in recent months and for the increased involvement of our partners in the university's advisory bodies.
Festive Reception for Our Sponsors
Astrid Nissen-Schmidt, Chairwoman of the Board of Governors of HSBA and Vice President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, took the opportunity to bid a ceremonial farewell to the former Chairmen of the Board, Dr Joh. Christian Jacobs and Dr Hariolf Wenzler, as well as Ian K. Karan, former Senator for Economics and former Chairman of the Association of Friends and Sponsors of HSBA. All three have rendered outstanding services to HSBA through their extraordinary, long-standing commitment.
Dr Joh. Christian Jacobs played a key role in the development of HSBA as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees for more than five years and had a decisive influence on it. Together with Dr Hariolf Wenzler, the first Chairman of the Board of Governors, he was jointly responsible for setting up the new governance structure after HSBA's separation from the Chamber of Commerce, thus making the university fit for the future. His willingness to support HSBA with extensive guarantees was crucial in this process. At the beginning of the year, Dr Joh. Christian Jacobs and Dr Hariolf Wenzler resigned from their positions as planned.
"Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr Joh. Christian Jacobs and Dr Hariolf Wenzler for their extraordinary commitment and ongoing support over the past years. During their time in office, both have helped to set the strategic course for the future of the university and have thus had a decisive influence on the independent, positive development of HSBA. At this point, I would like to particularly emphasise the willingness of Dr Joh. Christian Jacobs to vouch for the necessary security to the science authority. ", said Astrid Nissen-Schmidt in her acceptance speech. "The HSBA owes both of them a great debt of gratitude."
Ian K. Karan, former Senator for Economics and former Chairman of the Association of Friends and Sponsors of HSBA, had already handed over his position as Chairman of the Association's Board to Mattias Schmelzer, Chief Markets Officer and member of the Executive Board of KPMG Germany, in December 2021.
"For over eleven years, Ian K. Karan made an important contribution to the further development of HSBA and the support of our students in his position as a founding member and Chairman of the Board of the Friends and Supporters Association. He has built up the association with a great deal of enthusiasm and commitment and has played a significant role in shaping and driving it forward. We are very grateful to him for this," said Astrid Nissen-Schmidt in her tribute.
The Association of Friends and Supporters of HSBA e.V. was founded on 8 April 2010 at the university's former campus on Alter Wall. The aim of the association is to advance the development of HSBA and to promote networking with the business community, international contacts and student initiatives. As Chairman of the Board and founding member of the Association of Friends and Supporters of HSBA e.V., Ian K. Karan has played a key role in shaping and driving the association forward. Through his commitment, numerous student initiatives and committees, excursions or scholarships for stays abroad could be made possible and supported. He also used his extensive network to bring high-profile guests such as Dr Dieter Zetsche, Tom Buhrow, Peer Steinbrück and Johannes B. Kerner to HSBA.
Photos: Roland Magunia
