James Muir

Experience

• 

  TransTec

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1996

  Design Engineer

  James was involved in the technical design of industrial robotics for the aerospace and steel industries including the use of dedicated Digital Signal Processors.

• 

  ERM: Environmental Resources Management

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2001

  Consultant

  James was involved in corporate environmental and sustainability risk assessments, reporting and renewable energy strategies for major clients including BP, the European Commission, the Scottish Government and Shell.

• 

  Environmental Resources Management

  Jun 2001 - Oct 2005

  Principal Consultant & shareholder

  James led an Asia-wide group providing renewable energy and sustainability advisory services. He was involved in high profile assignments across the region in the energy, transport and financial sectors. Major clients included Ayala (Philippines), Banpu (Indonesia), Cairn (India), CLP, MTR and Swire (China). He developed a deep understanding of corporate sustainability particularly its design and implementation for Asian multinationals. He presented papers on such topics at a number of conferences and his work was promoted by media including the Asia Wall Street Journal and CNN. Show less

• 

  Sinclair Knight Merz

  Feb 2006 - Dec 2013

  Various senior roles & shareholder

  James led teams providing integrated technical/commercial advice for clean energy programs, projects & policies. Major clients included Chevron, Wairakei Pastoral, Genesis Energy, NZ Government and the World Bank. He was an engaged and committed Project Director for wide range of complex / significant consulting assignments and developed reputation for excellence with government, energy, development bank and financial sector clients. As global Practice Leader, he prepared Thought Leadership strategy and career development frameworks. He was the facilitator of and champion for various Learning & Development initiatives. He also helped SKM develop organizational and individual resilience ahead of and during the merger with Jacobs. Show less

• 

  Jacobs

  Jan 2014 - Nov 2016

  Company Director and member of the Executive Leadership Team for Jacobs New Zealand, an infrastructure advsiory business with $70m of revenue and 350 professionals across energy, water, transport and buildings . James led the $18m power & industrial business which comprised 75 consultants providing strategic, planning, scientific and engineering advice. He was accountable for business performance across diverse client portfolios, geographies and services. He led the development of sector strategies and achievement of Growth, Delivery, Client Engagement, People and Health & Safety metrics. James was a strong advocate for and public speaker on Diversity and Inclusion. James led Power Consulting, a specialist group working with clients in ANZ, the Pacific, developing Asia, Eastern Africa and Central America to design and implement clean energy policies, programs and projects.

  • Company Director

    May 2015 - Nov 2016

  • Director of Operations - Power & Industrial

    Nov 2014 - Nov 2016

  • Manager - Power Consulting

    Jan 2014 - Oct 2014
• 

  Callaghan Innovation

  Mar 2017 - Sept 2021

  James helped early stage, growth and established energy and environment companies, such as Avertana, Emrod, HumbleBee, Osho, SolarCity and Vortex, to innovate and grow by securing government funding, connecting with the right people and capabilities, providing industry and technology advice, building innovation skills (e.g. IP, capital raising, playing to win), mentoring and coaching. He also worked with cleantech businesses that did not succeed due to team, culture, product market fit, regulations, market size, and competition. Show less

  • Lead, CleanTech

    Jul 2020 - Sept 2021

  • Business Innovation Advisor, Energy & Environment

    Mar 2017 - Sept 2021
• 

  Crunch & Flourish

  May 2018 - Jun 2020

  Founder

  Crunch & Flourish was an early stage business that helped shoppers make decisions aligned with their environmental concerns and increase retailers’ revenue by improving customer experience. The first service was the Packaging Star, a digital overlay for products sold online. Similar to the Health Star - the higher the Packaging Star, the better the packaging for the environment. In trials, 80% of consumers switched products because of the Packaging Star. The business used machine learning, data analytics and image processing to test how the service could be automated and scaled across products, retailers and geographies. Show less

• 

  ACC New Zealand

  Oct 2021 - Apr 2024

  ACC Private Markets - Climate Change Impact Fund Manager

  ACC is the Crown Entity set up to deliver New Zealand’s accident insurance scheme. Its $47 billion investment portfolio helps meet the costs of injury claims. ACC is committed to having a net zero investment portfolio by 2050. ACC's Climate Change Impact Fund makes direct investments in climate solutions - that is companies and infrastructure, that will provide attractive risk adjusted returns and measurable emissions reductions. James established and led the fund which by April 2024, had invested over $140m in Leaft Foods, Lodestone Energy, NZ Timber No.1 General Partnership, and the Wellington Sludge Minimisation Facility. The fund also assessed 80 other opportunities to invest in climate innovators (energy, agriculture, food, buildings & materials) and climate infrastructure (renewables, liquid fuels & transport electrification). Show less

• 

  Awa Environmental

  Jul 2024 - now

  CEO