With over 25 years’ experience in ESG (environment, social and governance) and impact in Africa, James is a leading adviser to the Private Equity and Financial Services Industry. He was founder and CEO to EBS Advisory before EBS was acquired by EY Parthenon in May 2023. EBS Advisory was the strategic ESG advisor for over 80 funds, asset managers, and 200+ corporates and banks and now brings this experience into EY to head the Sustainability services within the EY Strategy and Transactions business.
James has constantly innovated the ESG and Impact fields having started the first Environmental Insurance offering, an ESG Unit Trust and the first Impact Placement service in Africa. James has worked in over 32 countries in Africa, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia which gives him unique insight into impact across emerging markets.
Before EBS, James established the Sustainability and Integrated Reporting unit for Grant Thornton and was global practice leader for ESG Risk for Marsh & McLennan. He was on the Institute of Directors (IOD) committee for drafting King III and the MSCI ESG Thought Leaders Council. James holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, a MSc in Environmental & Civil Engineering. In 2007, he completed his PMD at the Gordon Institute for Business Science.
How James is building a better working world
Most companies are creating value in ways that traditional accounting systems don’t recognise. At the same time, most investors are not receiving ESG information in a manner that is financially-relevant. Our work is about bridging this important divide by building evidence to demonstrate that making a difference should mean better quality profits.
