Research

Academic Research & Expertise

My research sits at the intersection of sustainable finance and corporate performance. I want to know whether the commitments companies make on ESG actually translate into the financial outcomes that markets care about.

MSc Thesis

The Impact of ESG Ratings on the Financial Performance and Market Valuations of UK FTSE 100 Companies: A Comparative Analysis of Carbon-Intensive vs Low-Carbon Sectors

Cardiff Metropolitan University · MSc Accounting & Finance · 2026

This research investigates whether ESG ratings systematically predict financial performance across UK FTSE 100 companies — and critically, whether that relationship differs between carbon-intensive industries (oil & gas, mining, aviation) and lower-carbon sectors (technology, financial services, healthcare). Using ROE, ROA, EPS, and market capitalisation as performance proxies over a five-year period, the findings reveal a nuanced, sector- dependent relationship with significant implications for ESG-integrated financial analysis.

ESG & Sustainable Finance

My MSc thesis examined how ESG ratings relate to financial performance across FTSE 100 companies, comparing carbon-intensive and low-carbon sectors. The research revealed a sector-dependent relationship that challenges blanket ESG screening approaches.

Quantitative Comparative Analysis

Using financial performance metrics, including ROE, ROA, EPS, and market capitalisation, the research applied comparative quantitative methods across multiple sectors to identify statistically meaningful patterns in ESG and performance relationships.

Financial Reporting Standards

Deep familiarity with IFRS, UK GAAP, and the emerging landscape of ESG disclosure standards including GRI, TCFD, and ISSB frameworks. Understanding how standardisation affects comparability of ESG data.

Doctoral Research Direction

Preparing for PhD research exploring why ESG quality does or does not translate into financial outperformance, with a particular interest in how AI-driven disclosure analysis can improve the consistency of ESG measurement.