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Meet Renaud BEAUPAIN, a professor of Finance at IÉSEG, on the Lille campus.

With a faculty of over 700 professors, including 200 permanent researchers, IÉSEG shapes learning through a modern approach: active teaching methods, interdisciplinarity, skill development, and personalized academic paths, offering every student a tailored experience.

In our “Faculty in the Spotlight” series, we introduce each month a professor who shares their teaching style, commitments, and anecdotes from their journey at IÉSEG.

Renaud, can you tell us about your background?

I’m Belgian and initially pursued a general management education before completing a Ph.D. in financial markets. I joined IÉSEG right after finishing my doctorate in 2008. During my doctoral studies, I spent some time at the European Central Bank, working on a research project. That experience showed me how scientific research could inform economic and financial decision-making, which reinforced my desire to pursue an academic career.

As the longest-serving professor in the Finance department, I’ve witnessed the School’s transformation. Alongside teaching, I’ve had the opportunity to lead several internal initiatives, particularly related to postgraduate programs. I created and launched the Master in Finance and later developed the “Master in Banking, Capital Markets, and Financial Technology” to address market demands. In 2020, during the COVID period, I became the head of the Finance department, a position I still hold today.

What are the main courses you teach at IÉSEG?

I mainly teach at the Master’s level, in both the Grande École program and the Master in Banking. My courses include corporate valuation, risk management, and, increasingly, financial technology-focused subjects. I encourage my students to think creatively and to approach project management through the lens of finance.

What methods do you use in your teaching?

I emphasize the integration of technology into my courses. My goal is to connect traditional finance with more innovative, tech-driven approaches. For instance, one of my courses focuses on “computational thinking”—teaching students how to think systematically to solve complex problems using computational solutions.

In the second semester, we apply these concepts to practical projects where students develop fintech start-up ideas. They work through every stage of the process, from ideation to creating a prototype. I guide them using methods like design thinking, helping them refine their ideas through prototyping sessions, feedback from companies, and building concrete solutions. At the end of the process, students present their projects to companies, bridging theory with real-world practice.

Every year, we organize a hackathon in collaboration with partners like LSEG, a major provider of financial data. Over the past three years, our students have competed in this hackathon alongside a UK university. This competition allows students to tackle real-world business challenges and receive feedback from industry professionals, providing valuable hands-on experience.

What are the current major trends in finance that you discuss with your students?

Finance has evolved significantly in recent years. Two major trends stand out: sustainability and innovation. Sustainability has become a cornerstone of finance. Today, students, companies, and regulators are increasingly focused on the environmental and social impact of financial decisions, alongside traditional metrics like returns and risk. The second trend is the explosion of fintech and start-ups in the financial sector, disrupting traditional finance models. Ten years ago, such innovation was unthinkable. Now, technology gives anyone access to advanced tools to develop projects, enabling entrepreneurship.

We’re also seeing a shift in mindset among students. Many are now entrepreneurs, which wasn’t the case a decade ago. Public policies, such as the rise of business incubators, have also fostered this entrepreneurial spirit. This change in perspective has a profound impact on the finance sector as well.

How do you align with IÉSEG’s values?

IÉSEG is a place where it’s easy to take the initiative and develop projects. There’s a strong sense of trust among the School’s members, which encourages risk-taking and experimentation. This freedom is invaluable because it drives innovation. The School provides a supportive environment for trying new things, and even if some projects don’t succeed, the effort is what matters most.

What do you enjoy most about being a professor?

What I truly enjoy is the interaction with students. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow and know that I’ve had a positive impact on their journey. I also take great pride in having created the Master in Banking, Capital Markets, and Financial Technology. Watching the students from the program’s early cohorts evolve in their careers is immensely satisfying.

What’s your best memory at IÉSEG so far?

My best memories come from seeing my former students succeed. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see where they end up after leaving the School—whether working at top institutions or starting their own companies. Knowing that our programs have genuinely impacted their growth is the greatest reward.