Peter James attended University College, London, and Magdalen College, Oxford. He has a doctorate in Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and first degrees in Theoretical Physics and Econometrics and Statistics. He was previously Head of International Investment Banking at NationsBank (now Bank of America). He has many years expertise in the derivatives markets at Merrill Lynch, DKB Financial Products, and Credit Agricole Lazard Financial Products, where he is currently Head of Regulatory Compliance.