Ogier's James Lydeard joins Jersey's next generation of sustainable finance leaders

Managing associate James Lydeard has joined a network of professionals on a project to help Jersey become a leading centre for sustainable finance.

Jersey #BuildBackBetter is an educational initiative designed to upskill and inspire the island’s next generation of sustainable finance leaders.

James, a member of the Ogier's Banking and Finance team, was one of 30 selected for the one-year programme, which was launched by KIT Consulting and Potting Shed, in collaboration with government and Jersey Finance, and is sponsored by Rathbone Investment Management International.

The scheme offers an apprenticeship in purpose-led branding and storytelling, which has been designed to help professionals from across the island's financial services support the industry to build back better on a global stage.

"It is an exciting initiative to be a part of and it has been a pleasure meeting and sharing ideas with the other Jersey #BuildBackBetter participants," said James.

"We have all come to the programme with different perspectives and experiences but with a shared belief in Jersey's potential to be a centre of excellence for sustainable finance."

With 10 years of post-qualification experience in banking and finance, James is recognised as a Key Lawyer and Rising Star in the Legal 500. He spent a number of years in Ogier's Cayman Islands office before moving to Jersey in 2020.

"James was a key member of the Ogier team that worked on one of the first Sterling green bond issuance, and his interest in sustainability extends beyond his client work. Since joining Ogier in 2015, James has been involved in shaping the firm's internal focus on sustainability and he is a key member of the global Banking and Finance team’s ESG initiative," said Jersey partner Katrina Edge, Ogier's Global Head of Banking and Finance.

"James is both talented and committed, and someone who is as comfortable in a collaborative environment as he is taking the lead on complex projects - the very qualities required of the next generation of sustainable finance leaders."