Chris Skinner's blog

Shaping the future of finance

“Just Business” by Geraint Anderson

Chris Skinner Author Avatar
by

I’ve just finished reading Geraint Anderson’s book, Just Business

I’m reading it partly because Geraint’s going to be a guest at the Financial Services Club in June, when he launches his new book Payback Time, so I want to be prepped, and also because it’s a fun read reminding me in places of the humour and style of Tom Sharpe.

The whole thing is a light-hearted rom-com blend of reality and fiction based upon Geraint’s own life and set around the City of London.

Geraint is the former banker who wrote a blog and then book called Cityboy.

The hero of this book is Steve Jones who writes a column for the London Paper, called Cityboy.

Ringing bells?

Steve is a bit of a hapless character, which is a bit of a conundrum for an investment banker, and is fairly stereotypical of the breed: ruthless, bonus obsessed, paranoid, drug-fuelled and a Master of the Universe.

He’s also got a problem: his boss has discovered that he’s writing a Cityboy column and is going to get rid of him the day before bonus day.

Typical.

However, Steve decides to solve the problem in a rather strange way which leads to all sorts of complications with money launderers, drug runners, Interpol, the FSA and more.

I started the book with a little bit of cynicism, and didn’t particularly like the idea of Geraint’s alter-ego Cityboy being the hero of the book.  Nor did I particularly like lots of references to real-life issues, such as the $3 trillion a year laundering machine that washes through the City of London, much of it unchecked.

Far too dull and steeped in our realities.

However, as the story went on, I found the story developed a little like a Hugh Grant rom-com film as Steve goes on the run with the love of his life.

Before you know it, you get into the spirit and fun of it all and it washes over you like a cool wave of smiles, with a little intrigue and suspense in between.

There are some tense moments as Steve goes on the run, and a twist in the tail or two, and the parody of Hector Sants who morphs into Peter Saint is particularly enjoyable.

So by the time I got to the last page it was, all in all, a very enjoyable fun read and I’d recommend it.

And come to our meeting in June and you’ll get to meet the author in person … see you there then.

 

 

FSClubCategories
Chris Skinner Author Avatar

Chris M Skinner

Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...

What is the future?

Learn more

Learn more about Chris

About Chris Skinner

The Past, Present And Future Of Banking, Finance And Technology

Fintech expert Chris Skinner: countries need digital transformation to remain competitive

Join me on Linkedin

Follow Me on X!

Hire Chris Skinner for dinners, workshops and more

Learn directly from from one of the most influential people in technology, gain insights from the world's most innovative companies, and build a global network.

Chris’s latest book

Chris Skinner’s ‘Digital For Good’ Book Launch Event – CFTE

Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on FinTech 2023

Chris Skinner
Commentator, CEO of The Finanser and best-selling author at The Finanser

Thinkers360 Thought Leader

Contact Me

Global Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

Global 100 - 2024 Winner

Chris Skinner - Financial Markets Advisor of the Year - The Finanser - UK 2023

Best Financial Markets Advisor of the Year 2023

30 Best Regtech Blogs and Websites 2023

Kids creating the future bank | TEDxAthens

Captain Cake and the Candy Crew

Captain Cake Winner of a Golden Mom’s Choice Award

TWO-TIME WINNER OF A MOM’S CHOICE GOLD AWARD!

Alex at the Financial Services

Gaping Void's Hugh MacLeod worked with the Finanser