James Muir

Background

About James Muir

James has 25+ years commercial experience across a range of industries and geographies and has held a variety of leadership roles. He has a background in science, engineering, technology, and the environment and a track record of strategy & its execution, decision-making, and communication. James holds Masters degrees in engineering science (Oxford), ecosystems analysis and governance (Warwick), and creative writing (AUT).Between 1997 and 2001, he worked with energy multinationals and government in the UK and Europe on renewables, climate change, persistent organic pollutants, and sustainability.Between 2001 and 2014, he specialised in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He advised clients in 15 countries on the commercial, technical, and environmental aspects of investment programmes, transactions, and project development.Between 2014 and 2016, James was a Company Director of the infrastructure advisory, Jacobs NZ ($70m revenue, 350 people). During this time, he was also Director of Operations for the company's power & industrial group ($18m revenue, 75 people). At Callaghan Innovation (2017-2021), he worked with early stage companies to develop and bring to market various energy and environmental technologies. He also created and led NZ CleanTech, a partnership across business, government, investors and academia to accelerate the growth of such companies. In 2018, James founded a company that created and trialled the Packaging Star, a digital overlay that helped online shoppers select products with packaging that was better for the environment. In trials, 80% of shoppers switched products because of the Packaging Star. Despite this and good levels of interest from brands & retailers, the business model was not viable and he closed the company in 2020. From 2021 to 2024, James led the Climate Change Impact Fund at ACC Private Markets and made investments in five companies that will provide attractive risk-adjusted returns and measurable emissions reductions.