The London Business School has selected a preferred candidate to replace Laura Tyson as Dean of the world-renowned institution.

Arrangements are being finalised in preparation for a formal announcement of the appointment in the middle of this month after a hotly contested process.

The London Business School declined to comment on the identity of the individual, but speculation centred last night on Robin Buchanan, the 53-year-old senior partner of the UK operations at Bain & Co and a director of the global business consultants. He also sits on the boards of FTSE 100 giants Shire Pharmaceuticals and Liberty International.

It is unclear whether he would relinquish roles at these companies if he secures the job at the London Business School.

He previously worked for American Express International Banking Corporation in New York, McKinsey & Company, and Deloitte & Touche, where he qualified as a chartered accountant. Mr Buchanan holds an MBA with Distinction (Baker Scholar) from Harvard Business School.

He is highly regarded and has a reputation for hating business jargon and rails against “management gobbledegook” in interviews.

A spokeswoman at the London Business School would say only that it was “making good progress” with finding a replacement for Ms Tyson and that an announcement would be made “very shortly”.

Mr Buchanan could not be reached for comment last night.

Bain & Co referred inquiries to the London Business School.

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