Gerard Lyons

Former Chief Economic Adviser to Boris Johnson, Head of Global Research For Standard Chartered Bank, & Bestselling Author of “Clean Brexit” & “The Consolidations of Economics”

Gerard Lyons’s Biography:

Gerard Lyons is a leading British economist with over three decades of experience spanning global finance, public policy and international economic strategy. He has held senior roles across major financial institutions, advised governments at the highest level and contributed extensively to global economic debate. His career bridges the worlds of academia, central banking, geopolitics and real-world market practice.

He spent more than a decade as Chief Economist and Head of Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, where he led economic analysis across emerging and developed markets. During this period, his research team was recognised by Bloomberg as the most accurate global forecaster, and Lyons was credited as one of the few economists to anticipate the 2008 global financial crisis. His work focused heavily on Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, shaping understanding of global economic rebalancing.

Alongside his banking career, Lyons has played a prominent role in public policy. He served as Lead Adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Business Council for Britain and later as Chief Economic Adviser to Boris Johnson during his tenure as Mayor of London. He has advised international institutions, spoken at major global summits and given evidence to parliamentary committees in both the UK and the United States.

In addition to his advisory work, Lyons is an established author and commentator. He has written influential books on the global economic order and the future of the UK economy, and continues to contribute to leading international publications. Today, he combines board-level roles with policy research, media commentary and keynote speaking on the forces reshaping the global economy.

Why Hire Gerard Lyons?

Gerard Lyons brings rare authority to the stage, combining deep technical economic expertise with firsthand experience advising political leaders, financial institutions and international organisations. His insights are grounded in real decision-making at the highest level, not abstract theory, making his perspectives highly relevant for senior business, finance and policy audiences.

His credibility is reinforced by a career that includes senior advisory roles to two UK Prime Ministers, leadership of one of the world’s most respected global research teams, and recognition for accurately anticipating major economic shifts. A seasoned public speaker with experience across more than 80 countries, Lyons is trusted to explain complex economic issues clearly, calmly and with strategic relevance for leaders navigating uncertainty.

Gerard Lyons’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Gerard Lyons’s inspirational entrepreneurial career:

• 2025 – Became a regular contributor to The Times, providing analysis on global economic and political developments.
• 2024 – Contributed economic commentary and opinion pieces to The Irish Times.
• 2020 – Authored and presented the commissioned report Qatar 2020 directly to the Emir of Qatar, focusing on long-term economic strategy.
• 2019 – Candidate for Governor of the Bank of England, reflecting his standing within the UK economic community.
• 2018 – Published Clean Brexit: Why Leaving the EU Still Makes Sense, outlining a post-Brexit economic framework.
• 2014 – Published The Consolidations of Economics, examining the restructuring of the global economic order.
• 2013 – Appointed Chief Economic Adviser to Boris Johnson during his time as Mayor of London.
• 2009 – Served on Councils of the World Economic Forum, contributing to international economic dialogue.
• 2007 – Appointed Lead Adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Business Council for Britain.
• 1999 – Became Chief Economist and Group Head of Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, a role he held for over a decade.