In this edition George Cooper and Gerald Ashley are joined by Helen Thomas of Blonde Money.
Are many governments in the developed world facing a fiscal Mission Impossible?
They looked at current financial risks, global fiscal challenges, and central bank independence, focusing on the political implications.
The conversation highlighted how political systems and electoral dynamics are shaping economic policies in the post-COVID era, with concerns about rising government debt, market volatility, and the IMF's limited bailout capacity.
They discussed central bank independence, suggesting it may align with government needs rather than being truly autonomous, and also explored potential political and economic shifts over the next decade, including inflation's role in addressing debt.
About Helen Thomas (aka Blonde Money)
Helen Thomas is the founder and CEO of Blonde Money, an independent consultancy firm established in 2014, focusing on mispriced risks in financial markets across the USA, UK, and EU.
She has over 20 years of experience in banking, fund management, and politics, including roles as a partner at ABD Investment Management and Head of Currency Alpha at State Street Global Advisors. Thomas served as an adviser to former UK Chancellor George Osborne in 2008 and created the Financial Markets Reform Programme for Policy Exchange. She holds a degree in PPE from Oxford, is a CFA Charterholder, a freeman of the City of London and a former board member of CFA UK.
She is a regular columnist for City AM, a London-based business newspaper. Her columns focus on financial markets, economic trends, and political developments. Additionally, she co-authored the book Masters of Nothing with MP Matthew Hancock and is a frequent speaker and media commentator on financial and political topics.
This episodes book recommendations
Gerald
The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope