James is the executive sponsor of Lloyds Bank’s ethnicity strategy. He was recently sponsor and keynote speaker for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2018. This event generated over 300 new allies for the Lloyds ethnicity network. Through James’ influence, 650 line managers and senior colleagues have attended face-to-face Cultural Competence workshops, supporting colleagues to feel more comfortable talking about race. He has also chaired listening sessions with ethnic minority colleagues, and influenced his 7 executive peers to do the same. Aside from dedicating personal time to the agenda by chairing monthly meetings, James has also gained commitment from his peers to be reverse mentored, with 40 partnerships across his business currently being mentored on race, ethnicity and cultural heritage. In 2017 James partnered with SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunities) to provide work experience to 12 ethnic minority students who would not ordinarily have access to financial services and trading floors. He also sits as a trustee of the Lloyds Bank Foundation which supports charities across the UK that help people facing multiple disadvantages to move forward with their lives, by providing both financial and practical support.