Raghavendra Rau Completes Tenure as Gresham Professor of Business

This week sees the final lecture by Professor Raghavendra Rau in his role as the Mercers’ School Memorial Professor of Business at Gresham College.

Also the Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School, Professor Rau has delivered three powerful lecture series’ that illuminated the evolving landscape of finance from multiple perspectives.

In The Tech Revolution in Finance, he examined how emerging technologies—like blockchain, AI, and big data—are transforming markets, displacing traditional intermediaries, and introducing new risks.

The Big Ideas in Finance demystified six foundational paradigms making complex financial concepts accessible and intuitive for non-specialists.

In Exploring Human Behaviour in Finance, he has focussed on psychology, revealing how cognitive biases, emotional decision-making, and systemic conflicts influence financial choices, and offers practical strategies to navigate them wisely.

Acting Provost, Professor Sarah Hart, said: “We have greatly enjoyed Professor Rau’s lectures—not only were they intellectually stimulating and accessible, but they also offered valuable insights that can empower individuals to better understand, navigate, and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex financial world.

“We are very grateful to the Mercers’ School for continuing to sponsor this incredibly important Chair at Gresham.”

Richard Smith, Executive Director of Gresham College, said: " Professor Rau’s lectures were deeply appreciated for their clarity, relevance, and thought-provoking content.

“They have offered practical knowledge and fresh perspectives that can benefit anyone looking to better understand the forces shaping modern finance and make smarter financial choices.”