The Greensill saga unfolded across continents and through business, politics, finance and markets. The number, location and expertise of excellent journalists that uncovered the story reflected the breadth of its impact. I have leaned on all their work to produce this book. To those of us who followed Greensill closely, two reporters stood out: John Collingridge’s coverage in The Times and Robert Smith’s in the Financial Times was exemplary and inspirational.
I was fortunate many years ago to get a job at The Wall Street Journal. My work here builds on more than a decade of trying to keep up with the best journalists in the business. To the extent that this book illustrates my abilities as a journalist, it is because of the skills, approach to reporting, and dedication to the craft that I witnessed working with reporters and editors at the Journal in Hong Kong and, especially, in London. I hope that some of it rubbed off on me.
In pursuing this story in particular, my former Journal colleague and editor Alex Frangos deserves much gratitude. His perseverance with a challenging storyline is deeply appreciated. My partner-in-reporting, Julie Steinberg, is one of the best journalists anyone could wish to work alongside. Thorough, diligent, always fair – and great fun too. I was fortunate to share bylines with Julie on the Greensill story.
I also wish to thank my former colleagues at Financial News who first ran with this story. There are many great journalists there, toiling away and displaying dedication to their work every day.
Almar Latour shares some credit for this book. A mentor and friend, Almar gave me the space and encouragement to pursue the story, even when I had other, more immediate work to do for him. Thank you.
I was incredibly fortunate during the period of reporting on Greensill to work with one of the finest, most supportive journalists anywhere in the world. Francesco Guerrera is not only a brilliant, immaculately sourced, thoughtful editor, arch-storyteller, and consummate media strategist. He is also a great, great friend.
Books like this don’t exist without incredibly brave sources. They risk their friendships and their finances. They put their careers on the line. They often do this when others around them decide to keep quiet or cover up. I was lucky enough to talk to many brilliant, courageous sources for this book. The story in it is dedicated to them and to their determination to tell the truth, no matter what. Two sources require specific thanks. One of them brought my attention to Greensill in the first place. Their input, generosity and trust lit a fire and they refused to let it go out, even when it seemed another version of events might take hold. The other key source was incredibly trusting, patient, and as thorough as any great reporter I’ve worked with. I believe you will know who you are.
Other sources too deserve plenty of plaudits. ‘Bobx’ – thank you for your time and guidance. To the others: this book is an attempt to tell a fair, accurate and meaningful version of events, and I hope it does justice to your efforts and the risks you’ve taken in talking to me.
I also owe enormous gratitude to my agent, Martin Redfern at Northbank, who understood the scope, scale and exceptional circumstances surrounding the Greensill story from the start. My publishers at Macmillan saw that the Greensill saga needed to be told too. Robin Harvie and Matthew Cole, the editors of this book, worked wonders with raw material. Lucy Woods provided irreplaceable fact-checking and Immie Kaldor’s reading was insightful.
Above all, I must thank my family. To Mum and Dad and Andrew: thanks for encouraging me to write. To my wife, Bambi: your tolerance of this labour has been heroic. Your patience, exceptional. Your support, inspirational. To Duke, Cooper and Robson: thanks for not interrupting too many confidential phone calls, and never stop asking questions.