James is the VP of Global Financial Institutions at Ripple, the leading provider of digital asset infrastructure, working with financial services companies to accelerate and globally scale adoption of blockchain based technology and digital assets. James is a recognized global thought leader and business developer. He has advised many fintech start-ups that are leveraging blockchain and distributed ledger technology, helping their executive teams develop a strategic vision and operational plans to leverage the technology for economic and social good, from start-up to scale-up.

Previously, James was COO and Co-Founder of IBM’s blockchain business, with global responsibility for market development, client engagements, sales, and business operations across all industry sectors. Before blockchain, he held many other executive leadership positions at IBM, including General Manager for the Global Payments Industry.