Chief economist at HSBC, Stephen King, gave a detailed and fascinating lecture on the economics and politics of globalisation at the College last week.

In the third of the recently launched Ferguson public lecture series, Mr King successfully made the building blocks of the world economy and the complex relationships that drive it easy to understand, helping his 100 strong-audience to appreciate why China has grown so quickly and the affect this has on us all. He covered the USA, G7, EU, emerging markets and other groups of nations in a way that was both captivating and coherent to both economist and non-economist listeners alike.

He then responded with clarity and detail to questions on US soft power, the environmental complications that will arise from increased globalisation, the plight of the poorer nations and the demands made on them by the rich countries. 
Head of Economics and Business Studies, John Birchall commented, “It was a privilege to hear a speaker of this calibre bring alive what is to many people a rather dry and complex subject and make it so relevant to the everyday lives of all of us.”

A public forum was also held at the independent school last week. History teacher Tom Stuart gave a highly informative talk on the Spanish civil war seventy years on. It proved a poignant evening with members of the audience posing questions born out of their own family connections to the historical event.

The Ferguson Lecture series continues on 6th December at 4.00pm, Bill Drayton will be speaking on the slave trade from a personal perspective; a timely topic with the 200-year anniversary of the abolition of slavery fast approaching. At 8.00pm, Head of Geography, Dr Peter O’Connor will run a public forum looking at the pioneering use of powerful geographical information technology in education. 

Entry is free but places do need to be booked in advance on 01279 838575.