James Payne

James Payne is a revered expert on the changing role and expectations of business in society, who is currently working as the Global Head of Purpose of Business for Forum for the Future. Highly regarded for his proficiency as a leading regenerative business practitioner, James is leading the narrative on how businesses can be a force for good in regeneration and social justice. Now hired as a leading keynote speaker, James is especially sought after for his sustainability and ESG knowledge, highlighting in his speeches increasingly effective ways that business leaders can think and act. When looking for a decorated professional with expertise in unleashing the purpose potential of your business or value chain sustainability, hire James Payne today!

James’ illustrious career began on the Graduate Programme of Guinness Ireland, learning the craft of consumer research as an Assistant Consumer Planning Manager. Later working as an On-trade Sales Trainee for Guinness Ireland, James built strong knowledge of brand management and consumer behaviour. A year and a half later, James became an Assistant Brand Manager of Guinness for Diageo Ireland, before being promoted to Brand Manager of Smirnoff Ice and Brand Manager of Smirnoff Ice & Bushmills Whiskey for Diageo Ireland. Having a substantial impact on such renowned brands, developing strategies that differentiated them from competitors and developing new brand positioning, James was appointed as the Global Communications Manager of Baileys for Diageo Plc.

Other prominent roles followed for James, becoming the Global Marketing Strategy & Innovation Manager of Baileys for Diageo Plc. In 2011, James returned to education to achieve an MSc in Business & the Environment from Imperial College London – education that continues to inform his knowledge of society’s impact on the environment, today. Since achieving his further education, James has acted as a Sustainability Lead for Independents United, Director of 6heads and the Head of Client Services, Strategy Director and Consultancy Director of Given London Limited. In 2019, James joined Forum for the Future as an Associate Director of Transformational Strategies, helping clients to move toward regenerative, net positive goals and address complex sustainability challenges. Supporting executive and non-executive directors to demonstrate visionary leadership and businesses to reconfigure their value chains, James has pioneered 2030 sustainability strategies for the likes of Target, Royal Enfield and Amazon to name but a few.

Lead author of the report A Compass for Just and Regenerative Business, James Payne is a leading business practitioner who is a staple choice as a keynote speaker for corporate clients globally. With over two decades of experience in consultancy, industry and NGO roles, James is a decorated professional who can demonstrate astute knowledge of sustainable consumption and brands, cultural shifts shaping the future of consumption and key shifts for future-fit value chains. Given the ever-greater volatility and disruption in operating contexts, James expertly simplifies the greatest sustainability and business challenges facing the modern world. Pioneering solutions to complex sustainability challenges, hire James Payne as a leading sustainability and ESG speaker today!

In February 2024 we sat down virtually with James Payne and discussed the importance of businesses focusing on tackling climate change and how future technologies will impact the climate battle. Watch our new and exclusive interview with James Payne.