Global Leaders Discuss Business, Finance & Politics on The Pulse

The episode’s lineup underscores the program’s commitment to delivering direct insight from the apex of global finance. Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, represents one of the world’s most influential financial institutions, whose strategic decisions and economic outlook carry significant weight for global markets. His presence signals a focus on high-level banking perspectives, likely covering themes from interest rates and lending to broader economic resilience. Similarly, Julien Lafargue, Chief Market Strategist for Barclays Private Bank, brings a tactical, client-focused view on asset allocation, risk, and navigating volatile market conditions. Together, these guests provide a dual lens: the institutional leadership of a global bank and the applied investment strategy for private wealth.

This financial core is critically augmented by the inclusion of Tina Fordham, Founder of Fordham Global Foresights and a noted geopolitical strategist. Her analysis bridges the gap between political events and market movements, a connection increasingly vital for investors and executives. In an era defined by geopolitical tensions, trade realignments, and electoral uncertainties, Fordham’s expertise provides the essential context for the economic forecasts and corporate strategies discussed by her fellow guests, framing financial data within the complex landscape of international relations.

Extending beyond the boardroom, ‘The Pulse’ deliberately integrates voices from the spheres of policy and governance, recognizing their profound impact on the business environment. Andrew Puzder, the US Ambassador to the European Union, offers a frontline perspective on one of the world’s most critical economic relationships. His commentary would likely address transatlantic trade dynamics, regulatory cooperation, and the diplomatic underpinnings of the US-EU partnership, all of which directly influence corporate strategy and cross-border investment flows between these two economic blocs.

Completing this policy axis is Susan Langley, the Lady Mayor of London. Her role places her at the heart of one of the globe’s premier financial capitals, responsible for promoting the city’s business interests. Her insights speak to London’s competitive position post-Brexit, its appeal to international finance, and the civic strategies employed to maintain its status amid challenges. The inclusion of both Puzder and Langley creates a dialogue between international diplomacy and local civic leadership, highlighting how macro-political agreements and city-level initiatives collectively shape the ecosystem in which companies like Bank of America and Barclays operate.

The program’s anchoring in London is not incidental but strategic. As noted in the source material, while based in the UK capital, the show ‘goes wherever the story is,’ yet London’s role as a neutral, global nexus for finance and politics makes it an ideal home base. The city serves as a microcosm of the themes discussed: a financial powerhouse navigating geopolitical shifts, reliant on strong international ties, and led by figures like the Lady Mayor. Host Francine Lacqua leverages this location to access a continuous stream of high-profile guests moving through one of the world’s most connected cities.

This episode’s guest list exemplifies ‘The Pulse’s’ core mandate: to deliver ‘conversations in the beating heart of global business, economics, finance and politics.’ By weaving together the market analysis of Julien Lafargue, the corporate leadership of Brian Moynihan, the geopolitical foresight of Tina Fordham, the diplomatic context from Andrew Puzder, and the civic perspective of Susan Langley, the program constructs a multidimensional narrative. It moves beyond isolated interviews to create a cohesive discussion on how interconnected forces—from central bank policies and market sentiment to international treaties and urban policy—collectively drive the global economic pulse.