Five minutes with the faculty: Marcel Olbert
Marcel Olbert on tax, tattoos and unintended consequences — and why good policy isn’t always good business
What first sparked your interest in your field?
Most of my research is on the impact of taxes and related regulations on businesses, the economy, and society. My mom is a tax auditor for the German government, and my dad is a tax advisor for small businesses and individuals. So I was exposed to the effects of taxation early on. At first, this didn’t seem all that appealing to me (as is the case for many of my students, haha). But in school, I realised that every business has to deal with taxes in some form, and that tax policy shapes incentives and behavior. That’s when I saw how fascinating and impactful the field really is: it influences individual choices, corporate strategies, investments, international business decisions – and even sustainability topics such as pollution and green tech innovation.
What’s one thing students or colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
That I’m actually a professor. When students bump into me before the first class, they often assume I’m another student or maybe a guest – not the person who’s about to start teaching.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? And the worst?
Best: Stick to your true north, and try not to worry too much about what others think.
Worst: Spend your vacation (and money) at a family hotel that specialises in kids' attractions.
What’s your go-to productivity trick or daily habit?
Protect chunks of time for deep work – uninterrupted by emails, social media, or anything else. That’s needed to get my best thinking done.
Discover fresh perspectives and research insights from LBS
“I once invited the tattoo artist of the Beckham family to speak to my students at LBS”
What’s the most unusual or memorable place you’ve ever worked or studied?
As a student: my exchange semester in Hong Kong.
As a professor: being at LBS still feels a bit unusual to me – it’s a privilege not everyone gets, and also incredibly memorable. The campus is beautiful and the energy here is amazing.
What’s a skill or hobby you have that would surprise your students or colleagues?
I like tattoo art. I once invited the tattoo artist of the Beckham family to speak to my students at LBS!
If you could have dinner with any significant figure, who would it be and why?
My wife. It’s hard to find time for those moments in the rush hour of life.
If she’s unavailable, I’d love to have dinner with Roger Federer – one of the greatest not only in sports but also as a public figure.
“Having a big ego often gets in the way – and isn’t much fun for others who you interact with”
What’s the most unexpected or unusual place your research has taken you?
I was scheduled to present at a conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Unfortunately, I had to cancel – but I hope a similar opportunity comes up again soon, especially as some of my research focuses on developing countries.
What book, film, quote, or piece of art has had the biggest impact on you and why?
I think Clint Eastwood once said: “Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.” That’s a great motto for academia – and for life. Our work is important: we teach students and try to generate research that improves policy and society. So we need to be thorough and careful. But having a big ego often gets in the way – and isn’t much fun for others who you interact with.
What’s the most bizarre or unexpected fact you’ve come across in your research?
Many regulatory policies – like higher taxes or mandated corporate disclosures – can have unintended consequences. They’re often designed to improve things, but they can end up putting a disadvantage on the economy of the very country where policymakers tried to make a positive change.
Interview by Sophie Haydock
