Rob joined the University of Stirling as Professor of Banking & Applied Economics, Associate Dean Global Engagement & Recruitment and Director of MSc Programmes within Stirling Management School. Previous to joining Stirling he was Faculty Director for Global Engagement at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham, Associate Dean Global Engagement & Recruitment at Nottingham University Business School and Deputy Director for the Centre for Global Banking & Financial Innovation. Professor Webb has extensive knowledge of the global education sector, specialising in student recruitment, Agent relations and developing MoAs with world class universities, presenting research and guest lecturing.
Rob’s research investigates applied economic issues which have not had the attention of the mainstream. He has written numerous book chapters and a textbook on banking and finance as well as publishing widely in top peer-reviewed international journals such as: Studies in Higher Education; Journal of Social Policy; Urban Studies; Journal of Business Ethics; International Review of Financial Analysis; Human Relations and Environment and Planning A. In the past he has been an editor of a journal and consultant for Marsh plc, Zurich plc; the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment. Rob teaches modules at postgraduate level in bank theory and financial risk.
Current research interests span banking, finance and economics and include: perceptions of value in higher education; behaviour and risk reporting in financial institutions; mortgage equity withdrawal in the UK housing market; modelling bank performance through the economic cycle using BioLayout.
Article
Does the internet lead to surface searching and a deficiency of discovery in student learning?
Watson D, Webb R, Cook S & Grant K (2025) Does the internet lead to surface searching and a deficiency of discovery in student learning?. Education and Information Technologies, 30, pp. 19853-19878. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13498-5
Article
Performance evaluation in teaching: Dissecting student evaluations in higher education
Cook S, Watson D & Webb R (2024) Performance evaluation in teaching: Dissecting student evaluations in higher education. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2024.101342
Article
Student dissatisfaction in Higher Education: a ‘fuzzy’ index approach
Cook S, Watson D, Webb A & Webb R (2023) Student dissatisfaction in Higher Education: a ‘fuzzy’ index approach. Studies in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2258933
Policy Document
Reforming governance within banks
Webb R & Markus K (2023) Reforming governance within banks. Chartered Bankers Institute/Starling Insights. Deeper Dive — UK Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards: A Global 10-Year Look-Back.
Newspaper Article
Why you should care about recent bumper bank profits
Webb R (2023) Why you should care about recent bumper bank profits. The Conversation. 05.04.2023.
Newspaper Article
Banking reforms expert Q&A: will relaxing the rules help the UK economy and what are the risks?
Webb R (2022) Banking reforms expert Q&A: will relaxing the rules help the UK economy and what are the risks?. The Conversation. 09.12.2022.
Article
The status of people risk management in UK banks
Mabwe K, Ring PJ & Webb R (2022) The status of people risk management in UK banks. Journal of Operational Risk, 17, pp. 83-103. https://www.risk.net/journal-of-operational-risk/7950041/the-status-of-people-risk-management-in-uk-banks; https://doi.org/10.21314/JOP.2022.021
Newspaper Article
How to understand what’s going on with UK mortgage rates
Webb R (2022) How to understand what’s going on with UK mortgage rates. The Conversation. 14.10.2022. https://theconversation.com/how-to-understand-whats-going-on-with-uk-mortgage-rates-192365
Article
Flipping the classroom: is it the type of flipping that adds value?
Webb R, Watson D, Shepherd C & Cook S (2021) Flipping the classroom: is it the type of flipping that adds value?. Studies in Higher Education, 46 (8), pp. 1649-1663. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1698535
Article
Price adjustment in the London housing market
Webb R, Watson D & Cook S (2021) Price adjustment in the London housing market. Urban Studies, 58 (1), pp. 113-130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098019878349
Article
'It's just not worth a damn!' Investigating perceptions of the value in attending university
Cook S, Watson D & Webb R (2019) 'It's just not worth a damn!' Investigating perceptions of the value in attending university. Studies in Higher Education, 44 (7), pp. 1256-1267. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1434616
Article
Do rating agencies exhibit herding behaviour? Evidence from sovereign ratings
Chen Z, Matousek R, Stewart C & Webb R (2019) Do rating agencies exhibit herding behaviour? Evidence from sovereign ratings. International Review of Financial Analysis, 64, pp. 57-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2019.04.011
Article
Internally Reporting Risk in Financial Services: An Empirical Analysis
Bryce C, Chmura T, Webb R, Stiebale J & Cheevers C (2019) Internally Reporting Risk in Financial Services: An Empirical Analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 156 (2), pp. 493-512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3530-6
Conference Paper (published)
'War is ninety percent information': A call to arms on enhancing information literacy
Webb R, Watson D & Cook s (2018) 'War is ninety percent information': A call to arms on enhancing information literacy. In: HEA Annual Conference 2018, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 03.07.2018-05.07.2018.
Article
Graduate views on access to higher education: is it really a case of pulling up the ladder?
Webb R, Watson D, Cook S & Arico F (2017) Graduate views on access to higher education: is it really a case of pulling up the ladder?. Studies in Higher Education, 42 (3), pp. 504-518. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1052738
Other
The stats don’t work – they just make it worse
Webb R (2017) The stats don’t work – they just make it worse. Nutmeg:The Scottish Football Periodical.
Newspaper Article
#HEAconf17: are graduates really pulling up the ladder?
Webb R & Watson D (2017) #HEAconf17: are graduates really pulling up the ladder?. 05.07.2017.
Article
Mabwe K, Ring PJ & Webb R (2017) Operational risk and the three lines of defence in UK financial institutions: is three really the magic number?. The Journal of Operational Risk, 12 (1), pp. 53-69. https://doi.org/10.21314/JOP.2017.187
Conference Paper (unpublished)
'It’s just not worth a damn!': Examining the perceived value of a Bachelor degree
Webb R & Watson D (2017) 'It’s just not worth a damn!': Examining the perceived value of a Bachelor degree. HEA Annual Conference 2017, Manchester, 04.01.2017-06.07.2017.
Newspaper Article
We should celebrate risk reporting, not censure it
Webb R (2016) We should celebrate risk reporting, not censure it. FT Adviser. 21.09.2016.
Article
Should the insurance industry be banking on risk escalation for solvency II?
Bryce C, Webb R, Cheevers C, Ring P & Clark G (2016) Should the insurance industry be banking on risk escalation for solvency II?. International Review of Financial Analysis, 46, pp. 131-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2016.04.014
Newspaper Article
What a 1960s cartoon cat tells us about the post-crisis mortgage market
Webb R (2016) What a 1960s cartoon cat tells us about the post-crisis mortgage market. The Conversation. 20.05.2016.
Article
Taking notice of risk culture - the regulator’s approach
Ring PJ, Bryce C, McKinney R & Webb R (2016) Taking notice of risk culture - the regulator’s approach. Journal of Risk Research, 19 (3), pp. 364-387. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2014.983944
Website Content
People, risk and the blame game
Webb R (2015) People, risk and the blame game. Changeboard [Blog Post] 20.11.2015. https://www.changeboard.com/article-details/14686/people-risk-and-the-blame-game/
Newspaper Article
Regulators fight for ‘clean’ information
Webb R (2015) Regulators fight for ‘clean’ information. FT Adviser. 29.06.2015.
Newspaper Article
Don't expect queues around the block to buy the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks
Webb R (2015) Don't expect queues around the block to buy the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks. The Conversation. 09.01.2015.
Newspaper Article
Elephant in the room exacts a heavy price
Webb R (2015) Elephant in the room exacts a heavy price. FT Adviser. 19.01.2015.
Article
Webb R (2015) Risk and responsibility. Clinical Career, (4), pp. 96-98.
Article
Changing Bank Income Structure: Evidence from Large UK Banks?
Jaffar K, Mabwe K & Webb R (2014) Changing Bank Income Structure: Evidence from Large UK Banks?. Asian Journal of Finance & Accounting, 6 (2), pp. 195-215. https://doi.org/10.5296/ajfa.v6i2.5975
Newspaper Article
Bank bonuses just encourage greedy or dishonest staff
Webb R (2014) Bank bonuses just encourage greedy or dishonest staff. The Conversation. 26.08.2014.
Article
Webb R (2014) Risk management in banking. Chartered Banker Magazine.
Article
Pension confusion, uncertainty and trust in Scotland: An empirical analysis
Webb R, Watson D, Ring P & Bryce C (2014) Pension confusion, uncertainty and trust in Scotland: An empirical analysis. Journal of Social Policy, 43 (3), pp. 595-613. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279414000051
Article
Webb R (2014) Breaking up is hard to do. Chartered Banker Magazine.
Article
Confusion, uncertainty and pensions
Webb R (2014) Confusion, uncertainty and pensions. PMI News.
Article
House price data: Who can we trust?
Webb R (2014) House price data: Who can we trust?. Property Professional Magazine.
Article
Operational risk escalation: An empirical analysis of UK call centres
Bryce C, Cheevers C & Webb R (2013) Operational risk escalation: An empirical analysis of UK call centres. International Review of Financial Analysis, 30, pp. 298-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2013.05.002
Article
We’re (mostly) banking on growth
Webb R (2013) We’re (mostly) banking on growth. Chartered Banker Magazine.
Authored Book
Economics Express: Financial Markets and Institutions
Webb R & Brahma S (2013) Economics Express: Financial Markets and Institutions. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson.
Article
Major British Bank performance over the Business cycle
Jaffar K, Webb R & Kumbirai M (2012) Major British Bank performance over the Business cycle. International Journal of Economic Sciences, 1 (2), pp. 26-50. http://www.iises.net/?p=8091
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Webb R, Cheevers C & Bryce C (2012) ‘Operational Risk Escalation and the Theory of Planned Behaviour': An Empirical Analysis of UK Call Centres. 5th European Risk Conference, Luxembourg,, 13.09.2012-14.09.2012.
Article
Internal Loss Data Collection Implementation: Evidence from a Major UK Financial Institution
Bryce C, Webb R & Adams J (2011) Internal Loss Data Collection Implementation: Evidence from a Major UK Financial Institution. Journal of Risk Research, 14 (10), pp. 1161-1176. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2011.591501
Book Chapter
Financial Institutions and Markets
Webb R (2011) Financial Institutions and Markets. In: Applied Economics. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.
Article
Parker L, Watson D & Webb R (2011) Family Fortunes: Gender-based Differences in the Impact of Employment and Home Characteristics on Satisfaction Levels. Journal of Socio-Economics, 40 (3), pp. 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2011.01.009
Article
A Financial Ratio Analysis of Commercial Bank Performance in South Africa
Mabwe K & Webb R (2010) A Financial Ratio Analysis of Commercial Bank Performance in South Africa. African Review of Economics and Finance, 2 (1), pp. 30-53.
Article
The effect of building society demutualisation on levels of efficiency at large UK commercial banks
Webb R, Bryce C & Watson D (2010) The effect of building society demutualisation on levels of efficiency at large UK commercial banks. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 18 (4), pp. 333-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/13581981011093668
Conference Paper (unpublished)
A European Study of the Quality of Housing and its Impact on Subjective Wellbeing
Webb R, Winfield T & Watson D (2010) A European Study of the Quality of Housing and its Impact on Subjective Wellbeing. Comparative Housing Research: Approaches and Policy Challenges in a New International Era Conference, Delft, Netherlands, 24.03.2010-25.03.2010.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Does Poverty Risk Help Explain Tenure Choice? A Multinomial Probit Approach’
Webb R & Watson D (2009) Does Poverty Risk Help Explain Tenure Choice? A Multinomial Probit Approach’. ISA RC43 International Housing Conference 2009, Glasgow, 01.09.2009-04.09.2009.
Article
Do Europeans view their Homes as Castles? Home Ownership and Poverty Perception throughout Europe
Watson D & Webb R (2009) Do Europeans view their Homes as Castles? Home Ownership and Poverty Perception throughout Europe. Urban Studies, 46 (9), pp. 1787-1805. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098009106020
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Internal Loss Data Collection Implementation: Evidence from a Major UK Financial Institutions
Webb R, Bryce C & Adams J (2009) Internal Loss Data Collection Implementation: Evidence from a Major UK Financial Institutions. European Financial Management Symposium 2009: Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Nantes, 23.04.2009-25.04.2009.
Article
Reservation wage levels in UK and German financial services sectors
Watson D & Webb R (2008) Reservation wage levels in UK and German financial services sectors. Service Industries Journal, 28 (8), pp. 1167-1182. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060802187959
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Webb R & Bryce C (2008) The Effect of Building Society Demutualisation on Levels of Relative Efficiency at Large UK Commercial Banks. Scottish Economic Society Annual Conference 2008, Perth, Scotland, 21.04.2008-23.04.2008.
Article
Employer Perceptions of Skills Deficiencies in the UK Labour Market: A Subregional Analysis
Watson D, Johnson S & Webb R (2006) Employer Perceptions of Skills Deficiencies in the UK Labour Market: A Subregional Analysis. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 38 (9), pp. 1753-1771. https://doi.org/10.1068/a37319
Article
Influence costs and the reporting of skill deficiencies
Watson D, Webb R & Johnson S (2006) Influence costs and the reporting of skill deficiencies. Human Relations, 59 (1), p. 37–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726706062744
Article
Coping with Low Pay: Cognitive Dissonance and Persistent Disparate Earnings Profiles
Watson D, Webb R & Birdi A (2004) Coping with Low Pay: Cognitive Dissonance and Persistent Disparate Earnings Profiles. Theory and Decision, 57 (4), p. 367–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-005-0121-2
Article
Levels of efficiency in UK retail banks: a DEA window analysis
Webb R (2003) Levels of efficiency in UK retail banks: a DEA window analysis. International Journal of the Economics of Business, 10 (3), pp. 305-322. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357151032000126256
Article
Testing for Wage Overpayment in UK Financial Services: A Stochastic Frontier Approach
Webb R, Watson D & Hinks T (2003) Testing for Wage Overpayment in UK Financial Services: A Stochastic Frontier Approach. Service Industries Journal, 23 (5), pp. 123-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060308565627
Article
Problems and Limitations of Institutional Investor Participation in Corporate Governance
Webb R, Beck M & KcKinnon R (2003) Problems and Limitations of Institutional Investor Participation in Corporate Governance. Corporate Governance, 11 (1), pp. 65-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8683.00302
Article
Informal and Formal Money Transfer Networks: Financial Service or Financial Crime?
Nawaz S, McKinnon R & Webb R (2002) Informal and Formal Money Transfer Networks: Financial Service or Financial Crime?. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 5 (4), pp. 330-337. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb027315
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Testing for Wage Overpayment in UK Financial Services
Webb R & Watson D (2002) Testing for Wage Overpayment in UK Financial Services. Scottish Economic Society Annual Conference 2002, Dundee, 01.04.2002.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Problems and Limitations of Institutional Investor Participation in Corporate Governance
Webb R (2001) Problems and Limitations of Institutional Investor Participation in Corporate Governance. 2nd Conference for the BAA Special Interest Group on Corporate Governance, Cardiff University, 03.12.2001.
Book Chapter
Diversification and Efficiency in UK Banking
Webb R (2000) Diversification and Efficiency in UK Banking. In: Dimensions of Competitiveness: Issues and Policies. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Diversification and Efficiency in UK Banking
Webb R (1999) Diversification and Efficiency in UK Banking. Dimensions of Competitiveness: Issues and Policy, Centre for International Business and Economic Research, Cambridge, 22.09.1999-23.09.1999.
Rob currently teaches Bank Theory and Operations and Risk Measurement & Management in Banking both at postgraduate MSc level. In the past he has been responsible for: Postgraduate: Bank Financial Risk: Measurement and Management, Operations and Strategy of Financial Institutions and Investment Banking and Global Operations. Undergraduate: Banking; Managing Risk in Financial Institutions; Contemporary Banking Theory, Financial Systems and Institutions, Financial Studies, Understanding the UK Economy and Macroeconomics.