Featured in TradeWinds’ 25 New Faces List
I’m thrilled to be featured in TradeWinds’ 25 New Faces list, as one of the people they’ve picked as “shipping’s next generation news makers and market movers.” Thanks to Joe Brady for a gracious writeup (except below). Visit TradeWinds for more about their list and those featured on it.
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James Lightbourn: Showing a keen eye for shipping deals and tipped for major roles ahead
A man of many hats has found a voice as an incisive shipping commentator
James Lightbourn has packed plenty of stops into his dozen years in the shipping industry.
Lightbourn’s LinkedIn account shows no fewer than 11 activities jammed into that time.
Banker roles with Arctic Securities, the former CIT Bank and Alterna Capital, a private equity firm.
A shipbroker’s post at US sale-and-purchase shop Compass Maritime.
Multiple advisory and executive positions with the OSM Group and affiliated Shiphold Management Services.
Even a flight into the airline industry as chief financial officer of Norse Atlantic Airways.
But we are writing about Lightbourn, 34, because he is a clear up-and-comer who many suspect has not yet held the role in which he will make his greatest impact on shipping.
In the meantime, Lightbourn is working under his own shingle for Cavalier Shipping in Norwalk, Connecticut, splitting his time between some investments and “an advisory business, acting as an outsourced CFO and putting some deals together”.
And he is keeping a keen eye on others’ deals and ship finance issues of the day.
If you are a shipping professional, investor or financier, you may know Lighbourn from his frequent postings on LinkedIn, where he has become a “must-read” commentator to a growing audience.
Lightbourn has demonstrated a keen nose for spotting compelling issues and news. He writes about financially complex matters with a remarkably lucid and accessible voice.
On a social media platform that often relegates itself to a circle of professional back-slapping, Lightbourn actually informs.
While we do not know when the 12th activity will come or what it will be, it is safe to say we are not the only ones keenly watching.
