Management Practice Associate Professor (Finance)
Fellow of Hughes Hall
MPhil, PhD (University of Cambridge)
My research interests include behavioural finance and capital structure decisions, risk governance, the comparative advantages of oil and gas companies, the link between carbon emissions and economic growth, and the effect of hosting international sporting events on the construction and tourism sectors in the BRICs.
I’m a member of the Finance subject group at Cambridge Judge Business School, which focuses on the investment and financial decisions of firms and financial institutions.
Professional experience
Dr Othman Cole is a Senior Faculty in Management Practice (Finance), and a Fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge. Dr Cole holds a PhD and an MPhil in Finance, both from Cambridge Judge Business School; an MSc in International Securities, Investment and Banking; and an MEng in Computer Systems Engineering.
Prior to his current role, Dr Cole was a Research Associate and then Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School. He was also an Assistant Professor of Finance at ESCP Europe Business School, where he is now an Affiliate Professor. Othman’s areas of teaching are in the areas of corporate finance, project finance, mergers & acquisitions, and his areas of research are in the areas of capital structure of companies, behavioural biases, National Oil Companies (NOCs) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), carbon emissions and economic growth.
Othman has published a number of peer-reviewed academic articles and book chapters, and has presented papers at a number of international conferences. Othman’s previous experiences were in investment banking during his roles at Barclays Capital and DNA Project Finance. He has also consulted for a number of companies in risk management, real estate, and energy.
Selected publications
- Cole, O. (2016) “How can the major European oil and gas companies continue to be competitive? A comparative analysis between 2000 and 2008.” International Journal of Competitiveness, 1(1): 53-70 (DOI: 10.1504/IJC.2016.075893)
- Cole, O., Tse, T. and Esposito, M. (2015) “Did Nigeria and Angola manage their oil windfalls well between 1970 and 2000: what lessons can be learned for new oil producers?” International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, 8(1): 1-19 (DOI: 10.1504/IJEPEE.2015.068245)
- Soufani, K., Cole, O. and O’Sullivan, P. (2015) “Is Islamic finance a complement to conventional Western finance? Underlying principles and viability.” In: O’Sullivan, P., Allington, N.F.B. and Esposito, M. (eds.) The philosophy, politics and economics of finance in the 21st century: from hubris to disgrace. Abingdon, Oxon and New York, NY: Routledge, pp.74-90
- Cole, O., Soufani, K. and Tse, T. (2013) “Notes on Islamic economics and finance.” International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 6(1): 83-91
- Cole, O. (2012) “Risk exposure and challenges facing commodity producers.” INFO, Nov/Dec: 48-49
Awards and scholarships
- Cambridge Judge Business School Teaching Award, 2021
- Cambridge Judge Business School Teaching Award, 2015
- Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship, 2004-2006
- Overseas Research Scholarship, 2004-2006
- International Capital Market Association Academic Scholarship, 2002-2003
News and insights
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Looking at 2023
Cambridge Judge Business School faculty offer their insights and opinions on what to expect in 2023 in areas ranging from entrepreneurship to climate change to disinformation.
News
Faculty honours
Cambridge Judge Business School faculty are awarded Teaching Prizes and Faculty Activity Awards.
Insight
Black History Month
Dr Othman Cole of Cambridge Judge Business School speaks about the "resource curse" afflicting some developing countries, and how to reform public-private infrastructure initiatives. Dr Othman Cole, Senior Faculty in Management Practice (Finance) at Cambridge Judge Business School, was featured this month in an article on the University of Cambridge website in conjunction with Black History Month. Researchers including Othman, a native of Sierra Leone, spoke about their inspirations and motivations, and their route to Cambridge. Othman earned his MPhil in Finance and PhD in Management Studies at the University of Cambridge, and currently serves as Deputy Director of the Executive MBA programme at Cambridge Judge and is a Fellow of Hughes Hall. His research and teaching at Cambridge Judge focuses on behavioural finance and capital structure decisions, with a focus on energy companies and their impact on the economies of developing nations. He has also been a candidate for the Cambridge City Council, and is active in Conservative Party politics in the UK. Othman spoke about the challenges facing developing countries with energy resources such as oil and gas, and how they can make the most of this God-given but finite bounty to best serve their populations: Some developing…
Media coverage
Cambridge TV | 9 September 2016
British business
What opportunities are there for British businesses after Brexit? Dr Othman Cole, Senior Faculty in Management Practice and Deputy Director of the Executive MBA programme at Cambridge Judge, says acquisitions of UK businesses by overseas companies can bring benefits. “Businesses in the UK are seen as attractive targets for foreign buyers. It shows that these are strong, well-run businesses with a significant growth potential.”