Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search
Profile image of Ken Farnhill

Dr Ken Farnhill

Post Nominals B.A. (Hons), PG Cert, CA
Biography I am a qualified chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland. I completed my training with Deloitte LLP as an auditor (2012-2015), and have experience of audits across a range of engineering, retail, technology, legal, and public sector clients.

Previously, I worked in a number of policy and finance roles at Transport for London (TfL; 2004-2011), where I worked on the Mayor's Transport Strategy and Spatial Development Strategy, Spending Review submissions, urban design policy, and other mayoral priorities such as 'smoothing traffic flow'. In my final role at TfL I was responsible for non-financial metrics for the Business Plan, Budget, and internal performance scorecards. Prior to TfL, I worked at HM Treasury (2001-2004), on public sector reform, the criminal justice system, and environmental and transport tax. I have a Ph.D from the University of Cambridge.

My current research interests are in corporate governance in the public sector, particularly at Transport for London and in the rail sector. I am particularly interested in the role of the TfL Board and the London Assembly in holding TfL to account.

I currently teach modules on management accounting, financial accounting, financial management, and auditing. Previously I have also taught introductory modules on accounting, and a specialist module on public sector accounting, which I also wrote. I also have experience of module and programme management, and have supervised dissertations at undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels.
Research Interests My current research interests focus on transport, in particular the governance of transport authorities in the UK. This builds on my experience of working at Transport for London. I have previous interests in accounting history, and medieval history.
Teaching and Learning I am experienced in teaching management and financial accounting, financial management, auditing, mathematics and statistics. I have taught accounting modules for non-accountants, and supervised dissertations at undergraduate and doctoral levels. I am also an experienced module and programme leader.