James has worked with Capital Cranfield Trustees since 2011. He chairs a number of UK schemes and is sole trustee of others ranging in asset value from £2.5M to over £300M & including DB & DC sections.
Qualifying as a solicitor in 1989 James spent a large part of his career supporting U.K. & U.S. companies in their day to day operations. Preceded by nearly 5 years in the corporate department of Eversheds, James was company secretary & in house counsel of three U.K. LSE listed companies. He then went on to act as General Counsel (Europe) for a Fortune 100 U.S. NYSE listed company for 12 years. To quote James “There is virtually nothing that a corporate can do or will suffer that I have not seen, in action”. Throughout his industry career James dealt with UK & International Pension Schemes acting both as trustee & company adviser leading corporate & trustee initiatives.
James believes strongly that whilst primary responsibility lies with the Trustees the active involvement of Scheme sponsors enables improved understanding & better outcomes for members & sponsors.
James maintains an open collaborative style encouraging the active participation of fellow trustees and common ownership of goals.
Living near Macclesfield, James is married with 4 sons. Apart from keeping fit enough to enjoy his love of walking, climbing mountains & off piste skiing James is often to be found driving at racing circuits in the UK & Europe. He is also a season ticket holder at Sale Sharks.
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