The Mizuho Financial Group is a global financial institution with total assets of over US$1.8 trillion, which provides banking, trust banking, securities and other financial services. Mizuho Securities Asia is the principal securities and investment-banking arm of the Mizuho Financial Group in Asia ex Japan.

James joined Mizuho Securities Asia in 2014 as a member of its Executive Committee and the Head of Legal and Compliance, covering Global Markets, Global Syndication and Global Investment Banking businesses. Prior to joining Mizuho, James held similar positions with other financial institutions covering proprietary investments, derivatives, equities and fixed income sales and trading, restructuring and advisory matters. James was previously a corporate finance lawyer in private practice and is qualified in England and Wales, Hong Kong and Australia (NSW). He holds a Master of Laws in Compliance and Regulations and is an alumnus of Macquarie University, the University of Hong Kong and Harvard Business School.