Sir Michael Hintze is hyper-aware of how the policy response to the global financial crisis has shaped the world today. The trillions of dollars of monetary stimulus, delivered via quantitative easing, depressed interest rates and elevated the value of shares and property.
"I don't think anyone really understands how big an effect QE had on real asset prices and how it changed the dynamic within our society – not just in the US and Europe but everywhere," he says.
The Australian hedge fund manager is convinced the effects of QE have helped fuel populist politics. London-based Sir Michael has said the next generation of Brits will be better off after Brexit, and donated to the Leave campaign, although the Conservative party supporter did not actively advocate for the Leave vote during the referendum.
He agrees that lowering interest rates and flooding the financial system with liquidity "has changed the world" by creating winners and losers in society.
Jonathan Shapiro and Sarah Turner have the full story here.