After graduating with a degree in Economics, and an 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 regularly contributed articles to newspapers including the Times, Observer and Guardian and appeared on the BBC?s Money Programme and the Financial World Tonight. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Accounting and Finance at Kingston university. In addition to his academic work he has run a number of economics and financial market training courses for various Investment Banks. In early 2008 his first book ?Reading and Understanding the Financial Times?, a practical analysis of financial articles from the FT, was published.