Jim Pettigrew has over 35 years’ experience as a chartered accountant and business leader, with extensive UK and International Financial Services experience in plc and private company environments at Board and Executive management level, including as CEO and Chairman. He has worked with a number of the UK’s top entrepreneurs on complex business transformations and IPO’s. He is a past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), and a past Chairman of the Scottish Financial Services industry body SFE. He also served a 3 year term as co-chair of Scotland’s Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) with the First Minister of Scotland and, during this time, sat on TheCityUK Advisory Board.

Jim graduated in Law from Aberdeen University and undertook a postgraduate Accountancy qualification at Glasgow University. He went on to qualify as a CA with Arthur Young McLelland Moores (now EY) before moving into the corporate sector.

In 1988 he joined international insurance broker Sedgwick Group plc, a member of the FTSE 100, rising to become Group Treasurer and stayed until December 1998 at which point he was Deputy Group CFO.

In January 1999 he joined ICAP plc, which became a FTSE 100 company and the world’s largest specialist inter-dealer broker, as Group Finance Director.

He was Chief Operating and Financial Officer of emerging markets asset manager Ashmore Group plc from 2006 to 2007 where he played an important role supporting the IPO initiative and managing the post-IPO process both internally and externally.

Jim became Chief Executive Officer of CMC Markets plc in October 2007 having previously served as a Non-Executive Director.

Over the last 10 years Jim has undertaken a portfolio of non-executive roles. He is currently Chairman of AIB Group plc, a financial services group operating predominantly in Ireland and the UK, Chairman of BlueBay Asset Management and Chairman of Dundee Heritage Trust.

He was until 2020 Chairman of Virgin Money and CYBG plc (Clydesdale Bank) having overseen the Clydesdale Bank’s successful IPO and acquisition of Virgin Money.

Previous non-executive roles include Interim Chairman and Senior Independent Director of Rathbones Group plc, Chairman of AIM listed asset manager Miton Group plc; Chairman of Royal Bank of Canada European capital markets business; Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chairman at Aberdeen Asset Management plc; Chairman of Edinburgh Investment Trust plc; Senior Independent Director of Crest Nicholson plc; Non-Executive Director at AON UK Limited and Non-Executive Director at Hermes Fund Managers.

Amongst his outside interests, Jim is passionate about maritime heritage and has served on the Foundation Board helping preserve the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer – PS Waverley; and is an advisor to the charity restoring the Clyde turbine steamer TS Queen Mary.