James Hughes

james.hughes@blackswancapital.eu

Professionally

I graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Economics. I began my career in the City in the mid-1990s and became an equity derivatives trader with Japanese investment bank Nomura.

The role took me to Hong Kong, where I settled for almost 15 years. I transitioned to private banking with HSBC and then Pictet, building a strong reputation and contacts within the wealth management industry in Asia.

An enthusiastic entrepreneur, I co-founded UK-based wealth manager Black Swan Capital in 2000 and established Buchanan Capital in Hong Kong in 2016 as an independent adviser and strategic growth partner to the financial services industry. In this capacity, I co-founded Altura Mortgage Finance in 2018, Black Swan Capital Europe in 2019, and Eala Wealth Management in 2024.

My role as a Non-Executive Director at Black Swan Capital Europe is to keep an eye on governance and assist David Bellingham with business, strategic, and corporate financial planning.

Personally

I have five children – four sons and a daughter – who take up most of my spare time!

When I does have some ‘me time’, I love equestrian sports and I’m studying for my BHS level 2 exams.  I ride with the Light Cavalry, a ceremonial sub-unit of the Honourable Artillery Company. I’m also a novice polo player.  One of my ambitions is to play with (or against!) Prince William.

I also do a lot of trail running and adventure races; anything to get the heart racing and the adrenaline flowing.

Likes

  • The King

  • Dogs

  • Pubs that let dogs in

  • Horses

  • Undisturbed sleep

  • Rhubarb crumble and custard

Dislikes

  • Untidiness and disorder

  • Not having enough time to do all the things I want to do

  • People who put the milk in before the tea bag

  • Reality TV

  • Holes in socks

Spotlight

Perfect weekend:
  Up a mountain in Scotland, then watching the rugby with friends and family in a great pub

Favourite Holiday Destination:
West coast of Scotland

Favourite song to play in the car:
Feel It Still by Portugal, The Man

If I could be a fictional character I would be…
James Bond, obviously

If I could turn an activity into an Olympic sport it would be:
Cleaning the kitchen. I am the master. It’s a fact

When the dessert menu arrives, I’m looking for:
Rhubarb crumble and custard

Three qualities that draw me to new people:
Friendly and interesting to talk to, with a positive attitude

My pet peeve is:
The strange ‘fashion’ where people wear their trousers halfway down

The best gift I received was:
A half-eaten sweet from my little girl, because I know how much she wanted it for herself

Three people at my dream dinner party:
Sir Winston Churchill, General Gordon of Khartoum, and Field Marshall Jan Smuts

Three small things that make my day better:
Waking up having had an undisturbed sleep (a rare occurrence), a really great cup of tea, and getting some exercise.