Thomas Bernhardt, born 1972 in Hohenems (Austria), studied International Business Administration with a major in Corporate Finance' at European Business School, Schloss Reichartshausen, Germany. He graduated in 1996 with a Master of Science (MSc). Since 1996 he has held a series of General Management positions in the chemical industry in Europe, North America and Asia. From 2010 till 2013 the author has conducted a post graduate study programme in European and Financial Markets Law at the School of Law at University of Glasgow, UK. He was awarded a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in 2013.