James is an experienced business journalist specializing in corporate sustainability, green finance and environmental policy who joined Trase in 2020. James is the managing editor and leads the content workstream for Trase, including insights, briefings and multimedia content. Before joining Trase he was editor of The Economist Group's World Ocean Initiative, research editor at Trucost, part of S&P Global, and sustainability editor of The ENDS Report. James holds a degree in Politics from the University of Strathclyde (BA).

James Richens

Reports & case studies

Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru revealed as deforestation hotspots

Trase and AdAstra: Powering action on carbon emissions from land conversion

Valentin Guye

Erasmus zu Ermgassen

Business & finance

Cocoa traders fall short on supplier disclosure in Ghana

Brazil

Doubts over legal compliance put Brazil’s soy exports to the EU at risk

Supporting the EU deforestation regulation’s benchmarking system

Brazilian soy and deforestation: challenges and opportunities

Indonesia

Can Indonesia continue to reduce palm oil deforestation?

Policy & regulation

EU urged to widen deforestation law

Strengthening the EU regulation on deforestation-free products

Trase highlights UK’s role in financing deforestation

Trase launches beef app to empower consumers in Brazil

Trase data highlights EU's role in deforestation

Investors welcome ‘powerful tool’ to manage deforestation risk

Global Canopy

Ailsa is a graphic designer who joined the Trase team in 2021. She is part of the visual communications team. Prior to joining Trase, Ailsa produced design work for the BBC, Mayor of London, Premier League, Red Cross and UEFA. Ailsa also creates large-scale typographic paintings and neons that have been exhibited internationally. Ailsa holds degrees in Graphic Design from University of Southampton (BA Hons, 2012) and MA Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art (MA, 2016). She works part-time on Trase.

Content and communications

Kate joined Trase in March 2023 as a Communications Assistant. She supports delivery of digital content across websites, emails and events. Prior to joining Trase, Kate spent time teaching English in Japan and Spain. She holds a degree in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of Leeds (BA, 2022).

Mary is a communications strategist who joined Trase in 2024. She leads Trase’s communications activity. Before joining Trase, Mary led the PR team at Energy Saving Trust. She has also held communications roles at other high profile non-profit organisations including Save the Children, the Marine Stewardship Council and Prostate Cancer UK. Mary holds a degree in Linguistics from UCL (BA 2007).

Mia is a graphic designer who joined Trase in 2021. She works on the visual communications team. Previously, Mia worked in Hong Kong educating different stakeholders in the fashion industry on sustainability and circularity. She is passionate about designing interdisciplinary engagements that facilitate the transition towards a livable and flourishing future. Mia holds a degree in Environmental Management and Technology from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (BSc, 2014) and a degree in Design from Linköping University (MS.,2020). She works part-time on Trase.

Stockholm Environment Institute

Ritu is a multimedia content producer who joined Trase in 2024. Currently, she drives the social media engagement for Trase and Global Canopy. Prior to this, she worked as a digital journalist at CNN-News18, Hindustan Times and The Times of India covering sustainability, gender and human rights issues. Ritu holds a degree in English Literature from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (BA., 2018) and degrees in journalism from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai (PgDip., 2019) and Goldsmiths College, London (MA., 2024).

James Richens

Insights by James Richens

News
14 Nov 2024

Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru revealed as deforestation hotspots

Case study
2 May 2024

Trase and AdAstra: Powering action on carbon emissions from land conversion

Analysis
12 Dec 2023

Cocoa traders fall short on supplier disclosure in Ghana

Other Team Members

Ailsa Sinclair

Kate Rampersad

Mary Frampton

Mia Shu

Ritu Johny

James Richens

Insights by James Richens

News14 Nov 2024

Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru revealed as deforestation hotspots

Case study2 May 2024

Trase and AdAstra: Powering action on carbon emissions from land conversion

Analysis12 Dec 2023

Cocoa traders fall short on supplier disclosure in Ghana

Other Team Members

Ailsa Sinclair

Kate Rampersad

Mary Frampton

Mia Shu

Ritu Johny

News
14 Nov 2024

Case study
2 May 2024

Analysis
12 Dec 2023