Chris James
About Chris James
Chris James serves as the General Counsel at Zing, where he leads a legal team within a fintech environment. He has extensive experience in digital legal roles, including previous positions at HSBC and various law firms, and holds advanced degrees in law from the University of Leeds.
Work at HSBC
Chris James has held multiple positions at HSBC, starting as Head of Digital & Innovation Data Privacy from 2018 to 2020, where he focused on data privacy in digital contexts. He then served as Head of Digital Legal for the UK and Europe from 2020 to 2022, overseeing legal matters related to digital initiatives. Since 2022, he has been the General Counsel at Zing, a fintech company, while continuing to leverage his experience from HSBC.
Education and Expertise
Chris James studied Law at the University of Leeds, where he earned both an LLB(Hons) from 2000 to 2003 and an MA(Res) from 2003 to 2005. He also completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at The University of Law from 2005 to 2006. His educational background supports his extensive legal career, particularly in technology and data privacy sectors.
Background
Chris James has a diverse professional background that includes roles in various legal capacities across multiple organizations. He began his career as a Trainee Solicitor at Macfarlanes from 2006 to 2008 and progressed through positions at UBS, DLA Piper, Telefonica, and Paul Hastings. His experience spans commercial law, data privacy, and fintech, showcasing a blend of legal and technological expertise.
Achievements
Chris James has contributed to the legal field through various roles, including as Legal Director at DLA Piper and Senior Associate at Paul Hastings, focusing on technology and data privacy. He chairs the Advisory Board for SCL.org, where he provides strategic guidance. His leadership in legal teams within fintech environments highlights his commitment to integrating legal frameworks with technological advancements.