The British Empire was at one point the largest empire the world has ever known, for over 300 years Britain ruled, its armies conquered and its bankers proclaimed the might of its currency but one day it all began to fall apart.

One by one countries declared their independence from Britain and no amount of force could reverse the tide. As British elites saw their wealth, privileges and empire disintegrate they began to search for a new role in a changing world and they found one in finance.

This is a film about how Britain managed to transform from a colonial power to a modern financial power and how this transformation has shaped the world we live in.