Professor Graham Abbey

My interests include organisational purpose, leadership development, and culture change, with particular emphasis on how organisations create meaningful work through purpose-led strategy. As Director of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of Bristol Business School and Chief Executive of Farleigh Performance, I work with high-performance organisational contexts, including elite sport, examining how purposeful performance can become commonplace across sectors. My work bridges academic inquiry and practice, focusing on the dynamics of trustworthy leadership, collaborative team effectiveness, and sustainable cultural transformation in complex organisational environments.

Drawing on my PhD research in organisational sensemaking and storytelling, I continue to explore how leaders navigate change, build inclusive cultures, and align organisational purpose with business performance and social impact. Current research interests include executive development for experienced leaders, the cultivation of flourishing organisations, and the practical application of action learning as a catalyst for critical reflection and transformative leadership. Through my role on the NYU Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing Strategic Advisory Board, I contribute to advancing understanding of how purpose-driven approaches enhance both organisational effectiveness and human wellbeing.