Hello and welcome to my new blog site, Straight Talking.
I am best known as a businessman in the City of London, and have worked in finance my entire 35-year career. Today, as Chief Executive of Tullett Prebon, one of the world’s leading inter-dealer broking firms, and as Deputy Chairman of Collins Stewart, the United Kingdom’s leading independent financial advisory group, it's fair to say that I have some insight into the workings of business, banking and the financial services sector.
I intend to blog about business issues, and the aftermath of the credit crisis which has engulfed us. I have included in my blog, as context, some back-dated articles that I have written for national newspapers in the United Kingdom. I also intend to write on issues about which I am particularly passionate – current affairs, history, culture, our society – things that affect our day-to-day lives. I, not a ghost writer, will write my posts, and they will be what this blog is all about: straight talking.
I have a reputation for straight talking. I'm often described as "outspoken". I don't view this as a criticism. I believe that one of the reasons we have got into the difficult and dangerous situation which afflicts our economy and society is that too many people followed the herd. There was too little high quality independent analysis, and we have been and still are too dominated by "spin" rather than reality. This blog is intended to make a contribution to breaking down that situation for the good of us all.
From time to time, I may also invite guest contributors to comment or blog on key subjects. I welcome your comments and will respond as best and whenever I can.
My blog also deals with my wider interests and I hope that those of you who have an affinity with these will also contribute.


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