After graduating with a degree in Economics and MSc from the London School of Economics, Kevin Boakes started his working life on the bond trading desk at Greenwell Montagu Gilt-edged, which is now part of HSBC Investment Bank. As their Chief UK Economist he was responsible for giving on the spot advice to bond traders as soon as economic stories hit the news screens. He has regularly contributed articles to newspapers including the Times, Observer and Guardian and appeared on the BBC’s Money Programme and the Financial World Tonight. In the late 1980s he decided to make a radical career change and left the City to join Kingston University, initially in the Economics Department, and then at Kingston Business School where he is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Accounting and Finance. He teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Finance and International Financial Markets. In addition to his academic work he has run numerous economics and financial training courses for various Investment Banks.