James joined Willis Faber & Dumas in March 1978 as a broker in the Reinsurance Division handling Asian and Japanese Non Marine Treaty business. In 1983 he was seconded to an associated company in New York to help develop reinsurers in the US market and to support international treaty business.
On his return to the UK in 1984 he rejoined the Asian and Japanese Reinsurance team and was appointed Executive Director in 1987. In 1995 he joined the Management Committee of the Global Reinsurance Business Unit with responsibility for the Far and Middle East region and was promoted to Regional Director. In June 2001 he was appointed Managing Director retaining his responsibilities for the Far and Middle East.
In March 2006, James was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Willis Re International. In addition to his Reinsurance responsibilities James is the representative for all Reinsurance and Wholesale activities for Japan Global. Japan Global was formed to co-ordinate the Willis’ Group entire activities with regard to Japanese owned and controlled business.
From February 2007, James was promoted to Chairman of Willis Re International, with specific responsibility for strategy, client development and senior client relationships.
James is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.