A fluent speaker of Mandarin, James returned from working in China in July 2012 where he had held positions in a variety of sectors, ranging from contemporary art, through to education and latterly petro-chemicals. James lived in Beijing from 2006-2012 but has travelled extensively on business throughout China, serving as an interpreter and cultural adviser to foreign companies, a role he has also performed for Chinese companies ‘going global’.

Over the past 10 years, James has supported annual energy sector missions in both directions, in particular in offshore energy. James leads CBBC’s Targeting Net Zero programme of activity and oversees its work across the whole industrial economy, as well its regional events in Scotland.

James has a BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies from the University of Sheffield. James is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.