Tilburg University has appointed Dr. Anne Lafarre as Professor of Corporate Law and Finance, effective September 1, 2024. With her research, Dr. Lafarre aims to make an important contribution to the transition to sustainable corporate law and financing. "In my opinion, in Europe and the Netherlands, the question is not whether, but how corporate law should contribute to a more sustainable economy and society."
In an era of increasing global concern about sustainability challenges, responsible business and financial conduct are increasingly central. Regulations now impose obligations on corporate boards for the social impact of the company, about sustainability. Financing plays a central role in these developments. People now speak of sustainable financing, considering Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues and risks, with the aim of increasing long-term investments in sustainable economic activities and projects.
Dr. Lafarre: "Businesses not only bring positive elements such as prosperity, innovation and employment, but can also harm the environment on a large scale, violate human rights and cause inequality. Corporate law, including the allocation of financing, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability. After all, this area of law influences the decision-making of board members and other important actors within companies. In my opinion, in Europe and the Netherlands, the question is not whether, but how corporate law should contribute to a more sustainable economy and society."
Professor Geert Vervaeke, dean of Tilburg Law School: "I am very grateful that Dr. Lafarre has chosen to continue her professional career with us at Tilburg Law School. She is a highly respected researcher in her field of research, both nationally and internationally, a very good educator and we can count on her in our Law School."
About the chair
The chair of CorporateLaw and Finance is located within the department of Private, Business & Labour Law (PBLL) of Tilburg Law School. The chair’s research is conducted within the research program Connecting Responsible Organizations. This focuses on how law plays a leading, supporting and promoting role in (technologically driven) activities and organizations, with the aim of creating a sustainable society. Lafarre will therefore be involved in developing and conducting research in the field of sustainable corporate law, in which developments in the Netherlands and the EU play an important role.
About Dr. Anne Lafarre
Dr. Anne Lafarre’s work has often focused on innovative research and education with sustainability as a central social theme. She is an editorial board member of the journal Onderneming en Financiering (O&F) of Boom and a board member of the Royal Association of Commercial Law. From January 2020 to September 2023, Lafarre held the position of director of education of the Joint Bachelor Data Science in Tilburg, in collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology. In addition, she received a VENI research grant from the NWO to conduct research into the role of shareholders in sustainable companies. She is currently editor of ’The Cambridge Handbook of Law and Responsible Business’ together with colleagues Paul Verbruggen, Bas Rombouts, Ricardo Garcia Anton and Debadatta Bose.
