Edward A. David

As part of my postdoctoral work, I research moral exemplars — or role models — within UK financial services firms. Many will doubt that finance has good role models at all, given a long history of corporate scandals and an array of bad behaviour in the sector. But, as my colleagues and I have seen in our recent study on the topic, there are morally exemplary individuals throughout the industry. What’s more, there are at least three distinct types of moral exemplars — three types that are vital for the wellbeing of employees, organisations, and even society as a whole.

I’ll leave you with that teaser for now. Wish me luck, as I’ll share this research with the Financial Conduct Authority next week. If all goes well, I’ll submit the write-up of this study to an academic journal early in 2023.

Here’s to all the hard work that enlightened firms and exemplary individuals do to model virtue in finance.

• Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford