Nuno  Fernandes Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerNuno Fernandes

Award Winning Professor of Finance and Governance, Bestselling Author, and former Chairman of the Audit and Supervisory Board at the Bank of Portugal, and the European Investment Bank.

Nuno Fernandes is a finance and governance expert, speaker, author, and consultant. He is also Professor of Finance at IESE Business School, Chairman of Audit Committee at the European Investment Bank, Research Associate of the European Corporate Governance Institute, and the Managing Partner at Odgers Berndtson Board Solutions, where he... Read more

Biography

Nuno Fernandes is a finance and governance expert, speaker, author, and consultant. He is also Professor of Finance at IESE Business School, Chairman of Audit Committee at the European Investment Bank, Research Associate of the European Corporate Governance Institute, and the Managing Partner at Odgers Berndtson Board Solutions, where he focuses on helping boards establish and maintain strong corporate governance. His particular areas of interest are corporate finance, sustainable finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, banking, and financial strategies. From 2018 to 2023 he was the Chairman of the Board of Auditors at the Portuguese Central Bank (Banco de Portugal).

Professor Nuno Fernandes regularly advises companies and financial institutions in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. He has delivered speeches, courses, and workshops for well-known companies around the world with audiences ranging from 10 to 1,000 people. Blending real-world examples and practical tips, Professor Fernandes customizes his content to clients’ objectives so that audiences leave the room energized to act differently, thus creating lasting impact for the organization.

A regular contributor to international media – including The Financial Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal – Professor Fernandes is the author of several books, including Finance for Executives: A Practical Guide for Managers (second edition), The Value Killers: How Mergers and Acquisitions Cost Companies Billions—And How to Prevent It, and Climate Finance.

In the past, Professor Fernandes was Professor of Finance at IMD in Switzerland and the Dean of Católica-Lisbon. He has received numerous teaching and research awards and has been published in leading international academic journals, including the Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Financial Intermediation, Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, The Journal of Portfolio Management, and Harvard Business Review. In 2022, he won the “Outstanding Teacher” award in The Case Centre’s Worldwide Competition, also known as “business education’s Oscars.” He earned his PhD in Management (Finance) from IESE Business School and a degree in Economics from Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

“Nuno Fernandes is an extremely engaging speaker, deeply knowledgeable about the global economy and current financial markets. He combines his extensive experience in top academic circles, with a deep knowledge of the business world. His smart, sharp, assertive, yet fun, reflections about the reality, allow managers to have inspiring reflection moments.” CEO LIDL Portugal
“Recently, our senior managers had the privilege to participate in a workshop led by Professor Nuno Fernandes, whose expertise in finance and particularly climate finance brought exceptional clarity and insight to ESG topics critical to RWE’s mission. Professor Fernandes’ workshop was a masterclass in translating complex ESG and finance concepts into actionable insights. His teaching approach was both engaging and practical, equipping our leaders with specific tools to strengthen our ESG frameworks and strategies. The focus on real-world applications provided our teams with clear pathways to integrate sustainability with financial rigor, aligning well with our commitment to energy transition.” Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, RWE AG
“Professor Fernandes has worked with Shell for many years, fostering our finance leadership-capability. He blends a rigorous academic approach with sound and pragmatic case studies, and ask questions of CFOs that may otherwise go overlooked.” Non-Executive Director of Rio Tinto, former Chief Financial Officer Royal Dutch Shell, UK, Netherlands
“Professor Fernandes has been an invaluable partner, offering profound expertise in global economies, finance, and strategic thinking, all enriched by a solid academic foundation. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to collaborate with him both personally and professionally across various locations, including Hong Kong, Dubai, and more recently, London. His insights have consistently benefited our businesses worldwide. Additionally, the training programs he has delivered to our teams have been exceptional, providing them with highly relevant and impactful knowledge. Beyond his professional acumen, Professor Fernandes stands out for his remarkable combination of expertise, emotional intelligence, and engaging personality. These qualities enable him to deliver training and workshops that are not only educational but also inspiring and transformative for those who participate.” CEO & MD Europe, DP World

Popular Talks by Nuno Fernandes

  • Mergers & Acquisitions: Top Executives as Guardians of Value
  • The Challenges and Opportunities of Climate Finance
  • Banking Sector and Fintech: Adapting to the Digital Future
  • Creating Value Through Strategic Finance
  • The Changing Role of the CFO: Business Partnering
  • Crypto Assets and the Future of Money
  • Corporate Governance: The Pillars of Effective Boards