James Bamford

James Bamford is one of the world’s leading authorities on joint ventures and strategic alliances, recognized for professionalizing the discipline of JV governance. He currently serves as a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, where he leads the firm’s Global Joint Venture & Partnership Practice. A pivotal figure in the advisory landscape, he co-founded Water Street Partners and was instrumental in building it into the premier global consultancy dedicated to joint ventures before its acquisition by Ankura in 2020.

In parallel with his firm leadership, he has served as a trusted advisor on over 200 complex transactions and restructurings valued at more than $300 billion, with work spanning the energy, mining, and technology sectors. Beyond his work in deal structuring, Mr. Bamford is a prolific thought leader in the partnership ecosystem; he is the author of Joint Venture Governance: A Guide for Directors and Executives and a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, where his articles, such as "Launching a World-Class Joint Venture," are widely cited as foundational texts.

Previously, he led the Joint Venture & Alliance Practice at McKinsey & Company. His expertise has established him as a key voice in defining best practices for cross-border collaboration and corporate governance