Our Board Members

UK Financial Markets Specialist

James is a UK financial markets specialist with over 30 years’ experience across investment management, corporate governance, shareholder engagement, activism defence, and capital markets. He is a former senior leader at Aberdeen Asset Management and Rothschild & Co.

He currently serves as Non-Executive Director at Resonance (social impact investment) and Tavistock (corporate and financial communications).

Current Roles

• Non-Executive Director, Resonance (UK social impact investment company)
• Non-Executive Director & Special Adviser, Tavistock (corporate and financial communications)
• Member, All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Governance Group (from 2014)

Previous Senior Roles

• Managing Director, Investor Advisory, Rothschild & Co, London (2019–2022): Co-led launch of Investor Advisory and co-headed Shareholder Engagement (IPOs, M&A, activism, ESG)
• Deputy Head of UK & European Equities and Head of Corporate Governance (UK & Europe), Aberdeen Asset Management, London (2000–2018)
• Fund Manager, Tilney Investment Management (1996–1999)
• Options Trader, Prime International Trading, London & Chicago (1994–1996)

Selected Key Achievements

• Led investment teams of 20+ professionals and stewardship/governance activity across major UK and European corporates
• Oversaw and advised on £15bn+ of assets during senior leadership roles (UK & European equities)
• Instrumental in integrating five major fund management acquisitions while at Aberdeen Asset Management
• Facilitated one of the largest UK/European rights issues in 2020 (Investor Advisory mandate)