Joachim Timlon

Dr. Joachim Timlon is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and International Business at the Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. He teaches strategy, sustainability, and innovation, with a specialized focus on strategic board governance in startup unicorn companies and the integration of AI in strategic decision-making. He serves as the module leader for the FT MBA Strategy program across campuses in Birmingham, Dubai, and Singapore.

• PhD and PhLic, Gothenburg School of Economics and Law, Sweden
• M.Sc. in International Business, Uppsala University
• B.A. in Business Administration, Lund University

His research centers on strategic choices for scaling high-growth ventures, particularly in green tech and digital native businesses. He investigates how AI, organizational culture, and leadership mindsets influence innovation and competitive advantage. His work adopts an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach, applied across industries such as automotive, healthcare, luxury fashion, and sustainable technology.

His publications include influential teaching cases, such as one on Ford’s electric vehicle strategy in China, used in over 500 instances globally. His recent work explores innovation strategies in haute couture and DE&I in Black-led unicorn startups. The research trends reflect a strong focus on digital transformation, ethical AI, sustainability, and inclusive innovation.

• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
• Fellowship, Higher Education Futures Institutes (HEFi)

Joachim has extensive experience in academic program leadership, having served as Program Director and module leader for international MBA programs. He has over 8,000 hours of teaching experience across nine countries and has been a visiting professor at institutions including Toulouse Business School, Luiss Guido Carli, and the University of Hawaii. He has also advised educational institutions globally and delivered keynote speeches, including for the Chinese government. His pedagogic research emphasizes student-centered, collaborative learning environments based on adult learning principles.

He leads the development of teaching cases that explore strategic governance, innovation, and sustainability in high-growth firms. These cases are used internationally and support both student learning and faculty instruction in strategy and innovation courses.