James Cole, Chief Innovation Officer, CISL James has spent 20 years working at the intersection of business, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. As a member of CISL’s Senior Leadership Team he works across international policy finance and business leadership initiatives. In 2022 he launched The Canopy – a leading European startup incubator, accelerator and workspace activating an international community of entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners – which has now supported over 500 startups since launch.

Prior to CISL James developed business partnerships and alliances at Friends of the Earth; founded a digital media startup; developed social impact projects in Peru; and held various senior commercial roles at Vodafone. James is a Trustee of TPI, The Partnering Initiative; PECT, The Peterborough Environment City Trust; and a member of the investment panel for the Social Innovation Trust.