After heading the downstream research team for Europe-CIS-Africa, he is now developing S&P Global's expertise in the biofuels sphere. Prior to joining S&P Global, he worked for the International Energy Agency (IEA) for six years, in the fields of energy security and then energy policy. Before joining the IEA, he worked for PFC Energy.

James holds a first class bachelor's degree from the London School of Economics and a master's degree from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po).