James Gardiner

Biography

A career business banker, his last role in a commercial bank was a UK wide role as Head of External Affairs for RBS/Nat West interacting with HMT, BEIS, Bank of England, British Business Bank and the key Business Groups on all things related to SME Banking.

James is also a Non-Exec Director and has participated in the Innovate UK’s Innovation Finance Sub-Committee since its inception.

James is deputy-chair of a Social Impact lender’s Investment Committee and owns 2 micro businesses involved in management training and property letting.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute.

For the last 12 months, James has also been a Strategic Advisor to Scottish Government helping them set up the new Scottish National Investment Bank with involvement around the target operating model, investment strategy, stakeholder engagement, customer experience and products as well as sitting on an Investment Committee to review transactions during the soft launch phase of the bank.

Previous roles in government

  • Chief Investment Officer