James joined AIMA in September 2022 as Director, Asset Management Regulation. Prior to joining AIMA he worked at the Financial Conduct Authority for 16 years, primarily in policy roles. He was seconded from the FCA to DG FISMA at the European Commission for three years where is was part of the team responsible for alternative fund structures including ELTIF, EuVECA and EuSEF as well as working on the PRIIPS Regulation. James then managed the FCA’s asset management and funds policy team before joining its International Division, representing the FCA at ESMA’s Investment Management Standing Committee and the International Organization of Securities Commission’s Committee 5 on investment management. He also led the policy work on the FCA – Hong Kong SFC memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Funds and helped develop the Overseas Funds Regime. His initial role at the FSA was as a member of the policy team responsible for the rules on unit-linked and with-profits insurance business.
Before joining the UK regulator, James was a financial journalist. He has a BA in European History and French from the University of East Anglia and a Diploma in Printing and Publishing Studies from the London College of Printing.