James Robinson brings more than 25 years of diverse international experience in communications, corporate affairs, government relations, trade and policy. James is based in New York and leads APCO’s trailblazing Geo-Commerce practice, helping clients to advance their cross-border investments and trade agendas, communicate purpose, and grow in the face of geopolitical headwinds. His career has been split between the U.S. and China, where he has supported ambitious organizations in developing strategy, engaging stakeholders and managing complex societal and public affairs issues.
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
— Nelson Mandela
Previously, James served as managing director for APCO’s Shanghai business where he led a team of approximately 30 staff and oversaw APCO’s Hong Kong presence. While in China, he helped clients in the technology, health care, consumer goods and financial services sectors as they entered, expanded in and navigated the China market.
Before returning to China, James was based in New York for more than a decade, where he led APCO’s several of APCO’s most significant global assignments, supporting public affairs campaigns, stakeholder and issues management efforts, communications initiatives and sustainability reporting programs. He has led several award-winning client campaigns and in 2016 was named to PR Week’s “40 Under 40” list of leaders in the communications industry. Between 2008 and 2016, he led the firm’s work for the Clinton Global Initiative. He also served on the firm’s North America leadership team.
Between 1999 and 2005, James served within the investment and government relations practice of APCO’s Beijing office, where he advised multinationals looking to enter and expand in the China market. He also spent a year in APCO’s office in Indonesia, where he focused on clients within the extractive industries.
James graduated with both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in China Studies from the University of Cambridge and speaks Mandarin proficiently. He is frequently asked to speak about the evolving role of business in society as well as the challenges faced by multinationals in China and is often cited by leading international media.
