On 6 March 2013 the Institute for International Management Practice (IIMP) held its official launch at Anglia Ruskin University's Cambridge Campus. The launch was an opportunity for IIMP to develop its public profile, celebrate the research work in innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalisation that IIMP has done so far and outline the way ahead. The launch was a great success and enjoyed by all.

The event was attended by international guests from the worlds of academia, politics and industry.

Drinks and canapés in the LAIBs foyer, also attended by the University chancellor Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, were followed by a series of discussions and presentations in one of LAIBs recently built lecture theatres. Dr Trevor Bolton, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Lord Ashcroft International Business School, introduced the launch, followed by a talk by Institute Director, Professor Simon Down. Professor Down delivered his vision for the future development of the institute, emphasising that the IIMP was a research institute, not a research centre. As such, he argued that engaging directly with key emerging social, economic and business questions, having a accessible public voice, seeking alternative corporate and philanthropic sources of funding and being uncompromising about delivering the highest quality research outputs were to be the key defining features of the IIMP. Simon was followed by the key-note speaker Charles Leadbeater, a noted thought-leader and author of 'We-think: The Power of Mass Creativity', gave a highly entertaining talk which set the tone, appropriately enough, around innovation.

Keith Dickinson, the former Interim Director of IIMP and Pro-Vice Chancellor of LAIBS, voiced his opinion that 'the progress made by the IIMP [in recent months] is fantastic'. Progress will continue to define the IIMP as it builds on the staff already in place and invests to attract those it will need as it moves forward. The IIMP is thriving and looking forward. As Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC put it, the 'The IIMP is open for business'.