James Meekings, Co-Founder & Marketing Director – Funding Circle

James is co-founder of Funding Circle, the UK’s first and largest online marketplace where people directly lend to small businesses, sidestepping the banks. Funding Circle launched in August 2010 and in the first 18 months over £30m was lent to more than 700 businesses. In 2012 Funding Circle won Moneyfacts 2012 Best Alternative Funding Provider Award. James was also featured at number 31 in the UK’s top 50 most influential entrepreneurs and investors by Business XL magazine. James leads Funding Circle’s marketing and sales activities, and is responsible for all customer acquisition.

Prior to launching Funding Circle James worked for England 2018, the FA’s team bidding for the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and before this at OC&C Strategy Consultants. James has a first class degree in Economics and Management from Oxford University.