Gerard Lyons

Dr. Gerard Lyons is a British economist recognized for his expertise in global finance, economic forecasting, and public policy. Lyons holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Liverpool, an MSc in economics from the University of Warwick, and a PhD from the University of London. He is chief economic strategist at Netwealth Investments, a discretionary wealth manager he helped establish and where he is a shareholder.

Lyons began his career as an economist at Chase Manhattan Bank before serving as chief UK economist at Swiss Bank Corporation and executive director at Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank. While at Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, then the world's largest bank, Lyons predicted Japan's prolonged economic stagnation and contributed a regular column to Nikkei. He later served as chief economist and group head of global research at Standard Chartered Bank, leading a division of approximately 180 staff. During his tenure, Lyons was among the few economists to forecast the global financial crisis, and his team was recognized by Bloomberg for forecasting accuracy. He was one of only two British economists to predict a significant recession prior to the collapse of Lehman Brothers, anticipating a GDP decline when consensus expected growth.

Lyons has advised on economic policy at the highest levels, including as lead advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Business Council and as chief economic adviser to Boris Johnson during his tenure as Mayor of London. He was an inaugural member of the European Commission's Network of China Experts and has participated in several councils of the World Economic Forum. Lyons represented the financial sector in "The World Debate" at the World Economic Forum in Davos, broadcast globally by BBC. He has delivered speeches in 82 countries, testified before committees of the US Senate and Congress, and addressed both Houses of the UK Parliament. Lyons has also participated in panels at the International Monetary Fund and Institute of International Finance, and has spoken in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

As an author and commentator, Lyons wrote "The Consolations of Economics," published by Faber & Faber, which was named one of The Telegraph's Books of the Year. The book presents a framework for a multi-polar world economy and has been translated into several languages. His second book, "Clean Brexit," co-authored with journalist Liam Halligan, was listed by The Economist among the best books on Brexit. Lyons is a frequent commentator in newspapers and on television, contributing to economic and financial discussions.

Lyons serves as senior independent director on the board of Bank of China (UK), chairs the risk committee, and sits on the board of BGC Partners, a global brokerage firm. He has been a member of the advisory board of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment since its inception and is a member of The Bretton Woods Committee Climate and Energy Transition Finance project team. Lyons was elected by economic members to the council of the Royal Economic Society and is a fellow of the Society of Professional Economists. He has also been a candidate for governor of the Bank of England.