Dr. Theodore Nwankwo BSc., MSc, Ph.d, FHEA

About

Dr. Theodore Nwankwo is a Senior Lecturer in Banking, Finance, and Investment at Sheffield Hallam University, and the current Lead of the new Trading Floor at Sheffield Business School. With over 15 years of combined academic and industry experience. He holds a PhD in Entrepreneurial Finance, and MSc in Finance and Investment (Distinction). He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

At Sheffield Hallam, Dr. Nwankwo has developed and led several key modules, including Finance for Business (MBA), Financial Technology (MBA), Advanced Portfolio Theory for Fund Management (MSc), and Introduction to Finance (UG). His teaching portfolio spans a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including fund and portfolio management, international financial management, financial risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and global investment banking. He also leads MBA modules and supervises MSc dissertations, trading projects, and consultancy assignments. Dedicated to student engagement, he has spearheaded initiatives such as the Financial Markets Trading Society and has supported students on live consultancy projects with global firms including HSBC and GXO Logistics.

Alongside his academic contributions, Dr. Nwankwo has significant professional experience in project finance, investment advisory, and SME consultancy. He previously served as Head of Project Development and Finance at Income Electrix Limited, and as a Project Analyst at The Infrastructure Bank Plc, where he advised on large-scale infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships in Nigeria’s water sector. Earlier roles with Zenith Bank Plc and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission strengthened his expertise in investment advisory and client relationship management.

His research interests lie in entrepreneurial finance, financial markets, investment strategies, and risk management. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at academic conferences, with recent work exploring fintech, ESG factors, and innovative financing models for SMEs. He also co-organised the FinTAF Conference on FinTech and Artificial Intelligence in Finance in 2024.

Beyond academia and consultancy, Dr. Nwankwo is a published author of children’s books and an active community organiser. He has led events such as TEDxSheffieldHallamUniversity, the Business and Law Summit, and initiatives supporting Black-owned businesses. His work is recognised through multiple teaching and student engagement awards, including the Sheffield Business School Inspirational Students’ Award and nominations for the Inspirational Teaching Award.

Passionate about bridging theory and practice, Dr. Nwankwo is committed to advancing sustainable business growth, shaping the future of finance education, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Teaching

Sheffield Business School

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

Finance and Economics

MSc & BSc Accounting and Finance

MSc & BSc Banking and Finance

MSc Finance and Investment

MSc Financial Management

MSc Wealth Management

BSc (Honours) Financial Trading and Investment Management

BA (Honours) Business Management and Finance

Fund Management

Global Financial Markets

International Financial Management

Financial Risk Management

Contemporary Issues in Finance

Mergers & Acquisitions

Strategic Issues in Financial Services

Strategic Issues in Banking

Global Investment Banking

Financial Services Regulation & Ethics

Finance for Business (MBA)

Financial Technology (MBA)

Advanced Portfolio Theory for Fund Management

Introduction to Finance

Research

• Social and Economic Research Institute

FinTech and ESG factors — assessing the impact of environmental, social, and governance considerations on fintech company performance in the UK.

Nwankwo, T. (2023). Entrepreneurial finance models for born-global SMEs in Nigeria. Doctoral Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University.

Amjad, U. & Nwankwo, T. (2023). Impact of Environmental, Social and Governance Factors on the Performance of FinTech Companies in the UK. In FinTech and Artificial Intelligence in Finance.

Hamzat, M. & Nwankwo, T. (2023). Islamic Banking and Financial Inclusion of Women in Lagos. In FinTech and Artificial Intelligence in Finance.

Ochinanwata, N., Ezepue, P. O., Nwankwo, T. C., et al. (2021). Public-Private Entrepreneurial Financing Partnership Model in Nigeria. Thunderbird International Business Review, 369–379.

Publications

Other activities

Co-organiser and co-editor 2024 FinTAF Conference (FinTech and Artificial Intelligence in Finance) at Sheffield Hallam University

Postgraduate supervision

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and their impact on financial performance, sustainable finance, and corporate governance.

FinTech and digital finance, including blockchain, AI in finance, financial inclusion, and the regulation of emerging technologies.

Entrepreneurial finance, with emphasis on funding models for SMEs, born-global firms, and high-growth ventures in developed and emerging economies.

Private Equity and Venture Capital, including investment strategies, valuation approaches, and their role in driving innovation and business growth.

Fund and Portfolio Management, covering advanced investment strategies, risk management, and asset allocation in global financial markets.