Professor Martin Bean CBE

Bachelor of Education (Adult Education), 1992

Professor Martin Bean CBE is a visionary leader dedicated to shaping the future of education and work. As the CEO of The Bean Centre, he passionately drives partnerships with pioneering experts, cutting-edge technology companies, and forward-thinking executive leaders to create a future that works.

A co-author of the highly anticipated book "Toolkit for Turbulence," Martin equips leaders at all levels with invaluable tools and strategies to navigate extreme change, seize unexpected opportunities, and foster resilient, adaptive teams in our volatile and uncertain world.

Currently serving as a Professor at UNSW, Martin's expertise lies in exploring the evolving landscape of work and lifelong learning. He shares his wealth of knowledge as a mentor at Mentor List, an organisation that connects Australia's brightest executive leaders to achieve greatness together.

Previously, Martin was Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT University, an institution with over 80,000 students based in Melbourne, Australia, with campuses in Vietnam and formal University partnerships in Singapore and China.

Martin's career also includes serving as Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, the United Kingdom's largest academic institution and a pioneering force in flexible learning. Additionally, he held the global role of General Manager at Microsoft's Education Products Group in Seattle, Washington, where he spearheaded the integration of technology and learning solutions.

In 2012, Martin launched FutureLearn, a ground breaking initiative that marked the United Kingdom's first at-scale provider of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). His innovative efforts earned him the distinction of being named one of the UK Prime Minister's Business Ambassadors in 2014.

Acknowledged for his profound contributions to education, Martin has received numerous awards in both the UK and the US. Notably, he was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of London in 2013 and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 United Kingdom New Year's Honours list, both in recognition of his outstanding services to higher education.

With a remarkable track record of leadership and innovation, Professor Martin Bean CBE continues to shape the future of education, empower individuals, and inspire transformative change on a global scale.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.