Associate Professor Evan Gilbert of the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) has been elected chairperson of the Southern African Finance Association (SAFA), an academic-driven organisation that advances finance-related research, teaching and learning capabilities in the region.

Gilbert takes the reins from Professor Colin Firer, also of the GSB, who was the chair for some 16 years. Firer and his colleagues set up SAFA as a channel for finance academics to network and compare notes. The association also hosts an annual conference where both academics and finance practitioners can exchange ideas.

Gilbert says his aims, as the new chairperson, include improving the link between finance academics and practitioners, as well as promoting research, with particular emphasis on assisting emerging researchers.

SAFA has a membership of nearly 150 finance academics, many from neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.