Jim graduated in law from Aberdeen University and completed post-graduate studies at Glasgow University before qualifying as a chartered accountant in Dundee in the early 1980s. He has navigated an impressive career from his native Scotland to London where he is now viewed as a veteran of The City.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. Jim has also worked with a number of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
Key institutional roles under his leadership have included President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a three year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of AIB Group Plc and as of April 2023, Chairman of RBC Global Asset Management UK. Jim retired as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) in May 2020 having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
He set out what he expects of himself and his fellow professionals in a speech to ICAS, Scotland’s leading body for chartered accountants, during his presidential year:
“Being a professional – in any profession – is not just about technical competency, it is about how you go about your work, how you make judgements and your willingness to do the right thing".
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
Jim has had a lifetime’s interest in culture and the arts and has chaired Scottish Ballet since December 2020.
In April 2023, Jim announced he was stepping down as Chair of
Dundee Heritage Trust after an impactful three year term. Dundee Heritage Trust is an independent charity that cares for the internationally significant historic ship, RSS Discovery, and the city’s social history and jute museum, Verdant Works.
Jim graduated in law from Aberdeen University and completed post-graduate studies at Glasgow University before qualifying as a chartered accountant in Dundee in the early 1980s. He has navigated an impressive career from his native Scotland to London where he is now viewed as a veteran of The City.
His natural energy and enthusiasm have propelled his successful career in finance. Through senior executive and non-executive positions in a wide range of major companies and organisations he has contributed to numerous international operations that span the globe, from the US to Australia. Jim has also worked with a number of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and flotations.
Key institutional roles under his leadership have included President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a three year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.
Jim’s current roles include Chairman of AIB Group Plc and Chairman of asset manager BlueBay. Jim recently retired as Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) having overseen Clydesdale Bank’s successful flotation and acquisition of Virgin Money.
He set out what he expects of himself and his fellow professionals in a speech to ICAS, Scotland’s leading body for chartered accountants, during his presidential year: “Being a professional – in any profession – is not just about technical competency, it is about how you go about your work, how you make judgements and your willingness to do the right thing".
Jim never abandoned his love of the sea. He prefers to travel by boat, more specifically a paddle steamer and he is an enthusiastic supporter of The Waverley, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. He is also involved in the restoration of the Clyde turbine steamer, The Queen Mary.
In August 2020 Jim became Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust, an independent charity that cares for the internationally significant historic ship, RHS Discovery, and the city’s social history and jute museum, Verdant Works.
After a lifetime’s interest in culture and the arts it has recently been announced that Jim will chair Scottish Ballet from December 2020.
