James has spent his career working at the interface of the public and private sectors with a focus on mobilising finance. He is now committed to working on some of the most challenging global issues focusing on sustainable development and climate change. He is currently the head of climate change at NatWest Group supporting the implementation of the bank’s purpose-led strategy which includes the role of principal sponsor of CoP26. He is also a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Advisory Group for the ICAEW and a trustee for the Trust for Sustainable Living. Prior to this role, he was the head of the circular economy programme for London.

Before returning to the UK, James spent 5 years in Washington, D.C. as the Director for Climate Change at the World Bank.  Prior to joining the World Bank, he was a partner in the Corporate Finance Practice of the accounting firm, EY and also worked for HM Treasury. James has a degree in Chemistry from the University of Durham and is a member of the Institute of Chartered accountants of England and Wales.