Ludovic Phalippou of Oxford’s Said Business School is among the 40 best business school profs under 40
Ludovic Phalippou
Associate Professor of Finance
Age: 37
Institution: University of Oxford, Said Business School
Since: January 2011
Before current institution: University of Amsterdam
Hometown: Albi, France
Marital status: Single
Children: one daughter
Education: INSEAD PhD Finance
Courses currently teaching: Asset Management, Private Equity (for MBAs and EMBAs)
Fun fact: I use ‘monkeys’ quite a lot to teach Asset Management (AM). A central concept in AM is that of a benchmark–and it is best understood (I think) as “what a monkey would achieve”; there are also naughty monkeys (who will eat your lunch); there was also a monkey mutual fund in the Netherlands (true story)–it outperformed for a while, attracted lots of attention and money, and then did not and was shut down; there are smart monkeys (those who diversify); and dumb monkeys (who do not), etc. Never think you can beat a monkey is a big takeaway from the course.
Professor you most admire: Dan Ariely (Duke)
Most memorable moment as a professor: An EMBA student asking something like, “What makes you think you can teach me something about private equity?” in the first minute of my first presentation of my elective course to EMBA, which I was teaching for the very first time. I think I had a good answer, because she took the course and said she very much enjoyed it and learned a lot from it–afterwards.
“If I weren’t a B-school professor…” I’d be a politician or an entrepreneur (depending on how much would be in my savings account)
Students say:
The design of the courses is brilliant, building up momentum in every lecture and revealing new paradigms by criticizing the previous ones, creating a very powerful learning dynamic. He is an expert in both private equity and asset management, providing crystal-clear concepts and explaining every detail of the actual practices. He shares controversial views on both and fosters debate in a very provocative style, managing class discussion impeccably, all of this with a French accent.
He brings top guests to class (and is not afraid to challenge them), includes the latest research in his lectures, makes the students negotiate PE deals with real bankers providing debt … everything you could wish for in a course like that.
His style is exceptional. He is always open to help students and he enjoys his courses a lot. You can see he enjoys lecturing. Add that to his passion for the subjects and his expertise in the field, and the result is extraordinary.
-Rodrigo Tosti Ibáñez, Oxford MBA, Class of 2012
Ludovic is an excellent professor who skillfully combines practitioner’s perspective with financial theory for classes and assignments. He invites students to question the underlying fundamentals of the private equity industry instead of merely learning its mechanics. He engages with students in a way that is jovial and yet earnest, often bringing laughter to what was for me a Friday morning class.
-Aunnie Patton, Oxford MBA, Class of 2012
Class Reviews:
One of the best classes I took at Oxford. If you want more understanding of the entire investment market, this class is wonderful.
Comments or questions about this article? Email us.