George Magnus

George Magnus is a distinguished economist and author who currently serves as a Research Associate at the China Centre at Oxford University and the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. With a career defined by high-level institutional roles, he previously held the positions of Chief Economist and Senior Economic Adviser at UBS Investment Bank. During his tenure, he was a pivotal figure in managing the bank’s response to various global economic cycles, famously predicting the 2008 financial crisis in a series of research papers regarding the impending Minsky Moment. His extensive background also includes leadership roles at SG Warburg, Chase Securities, and Bank of America. As a prolific writer, Magnus has authored several significant works including Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy, which scrutinises the country’s modern commercial hurdles. His earlier books, The Age of Aging and Uprising, explored the profound impacts of global demographic shifts and the political economy of emerging markets. He remains a prominent voice in the media, frequently providing expert analysis for the Financial Times, Bloomberg TV, and the BBC on matters ranging from Brexit to international trade relations. Renowned for his ability to translate complex macroeconomic trends into clear narratives, George Magnus is a sought-after speaker for audiences requiring a deep understanding of the risks and opportunities within the contemporary global landscape. On stage, George Magnus is best known for talks on Financial Services, Economics & The Economy, Esg & Social Responsibility and Strategy. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. George Magnus is regularly booked for Business Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how George Magnus would approach your audience.