The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has appointed James Alexander as its chief executive officer (CEO).
Alexander - who will take up the position at the membership organisation on 12 October - is currently director of the City Finance Programme at the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and is responsible for helping megacities overcome the barriers to financing climate action. He is also head of the C40 Cities Finance Facility - a project which has helped 17 cities to structure nearly a $1bn (£750m) of sustainable infrastructure transactions.
Prior to C40, James worked for the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, advising the Scottish and UK governments on economic growth. He helped Scotland's cities to develop the Cities Strategy for Scotland and create the Scottish Cities Alliance, delivering additional investment, jobs and growth in Scotland's cities.
He succeeds Simon Howard, who is retiring as CEO after seven years in the role.
UKSIF chair Michael Meehan thanked Howard for his "leadership and commitment to UKSIF and its members" and welcomed Alexander to the role.
He said: "James is joining UKSIF after several years leading the C40 Cities Finance Facility, with a career focused on delivering value for members taking on critical sustainable initiatives. With a background in sustainable finance, member engagement, and communications, we are excited to welcome James to the team to lead UKSIF in 2020 and beyond."
Alexander added: "The social and economic challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the growing urgency of climate action, require an even more concerted effort and focus on sustainable finance and investment. UKSIF plays a vital role in supporting the sector to scale-up.
"I look forward to working with UKSIF members and our partners at home and abroad as we continue to build a world-leading sustainable finance and investment sector in the UK, by sparking innovation, making new connections, and engaging government and regulators to overcome barriers to market growth."
UKSIF is a membership organisation for those in the finance industry committed to growing sustainable and responsible finance in the UK.
It has over 240 members and affiliates, including pension funds, consultants and both institutional and retail fund managers.
