Who is James Thornton
Name: James Thornton
Title: Senior Trading Analyst | Forex & CFD Specialist
Location: London, United Kingdom.
Experience: 24 Years in Margin FX Trading & Brokerage
James Thornton is a seasoned financial markets expert with over 24 years of experience working across some of the most respected online margin FX and CFD trading firms in London and continental Europe. His career has spanned roles in trading desk operations, brokerage analysis, and product evaluation, making him one of the most well-rounded voices in retail trading evaluation.
James began his career in the early 2000s, gaining frontline experience during the rise of online Forex trading in the UK. He held various senior positions within multi-asset brokerages, where he developed a deep understanding of the underlying mechanics of spread pricing, execution models (STP vs. market making), and liquidity management.
Now, as a contributor to The Broker Radar, James brings this experience to every review he writes, combining insider-level brokerage knowledge with real-world trading insights.
James continues to actively trade to stay current with platform updates, execution quality, and client conditions. He maintains live accounts with:
Eightcap – for its competitive crypto and CFD offering
XM – for its flexible leverage and regulatory reach
OKX – for crypto futures and spot margin trading
His trading experience covers forex, indices, crypto derivatives, and metals, allowing him to provide an unbiased perspective on both regulated and offshore environments.
University of Warwick (UK)
Bachelor of Science in Economics
Class of 1999
James credits his economics background for his ability to critically assess broker fee structures, execution environments, and global regulatory frameworks.
James’s mission is to democratize access to transparent broker information and empower everyday traders with the same insights that professionals rely on behind the scenes. He believes retail traders should be able to:
Choose a broker based on real conditions — not just marketing
Understand the risks of different execution models
Navigate regulatory trade-offs (e.g. ESMA vs. offshore)
He hopes The Broker Radar becomes a trusted comparison tool for beginner and intermediate traders looking to avoid common broker traps.
With decades of experience, a trader’s eye for detail, and an unwavering commitment to objectivity, James continues to help traders cut through the noise. Whether you’re comparing platforms or looking for your first broker, you can count on James’s insights to be grounded in real trading — not just surface-level specs.
→ View James Thornton’s latest broker reviews and insights here.
