Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (GMT+1), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 
Presenter: Professor Sunil Poshakwale, Cranfield University
Chair: Professor Victor Murinde, SOAS University of London
Online venue: Click here to join the CGF Seminar Room on Microsoft Teams

Abstract
We analyze the relationship between the proportion of women directors on the boards of UK listed firms and their financial performance and risk. We find that firms with greater gender diversity are more profitable and enjoy higher market valuations. However, consistent with prior research, we do not find any reliable evidence to suggest that gender diversity affects stock returns or risk. Our findings suggest that while gender diversity of boards is value relevant, the market is efficient with respect to this information.

Presenter

Sunil Poshakwale is a Professor of International Finance in the School of Management of Cranfield University, England since 2006. He is also an Adjunct Professor to the Graduate School of Business of the University of South Pacific, Fiji. He was previously a Professor of Finance at Hull University’s Business School. Prior to joining Hull, Sunil served as a Senior Lecturer in University of Birmingham and as a Lecturer in University of Kent. As a former Director of Centre for Research in Finance in Cranfield, he led the development of high quality industry relevant research. He has published over 50 research papers in top finance journals. He was named as one of the fifty top faces of Cranfield’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Professor Sunil Poshakwale has wide-ranging consulting experience in the area of international finance, investments and governance matters. He has served as finance expert on several projects of international banks and financial institutions. Well recognised for his finance expertise, he is regularly interviewed by print, radio and television media for his expert views on global finance.