Following a degree in Biochemical Engineering at UCL, James started his career in insurance in 1985, on the dark side, working as a broker at Sedgwick Offshore Resources. He transferred to New York in 1990 to run the marine and energy desk at Sedgwick international Marketing Services (SIMS). Finally, in 1998 he saw the light and moved across to the underwriting fraternity, relocating back to London as the energy underwriter for Goshawk Syndicate in Lloyd’s. After a brief stint at the Cotesworth Syndicate, James joined post-9/11 start-up Talbot Underwriting Limited as their upstream energy underwriter. In 2010, James was promoted to Head of Marine, responsible for Hull, Cargo, Yachts, Fine Art & specie and Marine & Energy Liability in addition to Upstream Energy. James is a Chartered Insurer. He is Chairman the Offshore Energy Committee of IUMI and also a long-standing member of the Joint Rig Committee in London. He also sits on the LMA Marine Committee. James’ passion is music and he has a regular guest slot as a DJ on WIOX radio station in New York.