Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 2025 – James Spearing has stepped into the role of Chief Learning Officer at Scotiabank, where he will lead the bank’s global learning strategy, driving workforce development, leadership capability, and future-ready skill building across all levels. With more than two decades of cross-functional leadership experience in HR, talent, and client engagement, James is poised to strengthen Scotiabank’s culture of continuous learning and employee empowerment.
Prior to this appointment, James Spearing served as Vice President, Human Resources Business Partner – Corporate Functions at Scotiabank, where he partnered with executive leaders across Corporate Functions to align human capital strategy with business goals in areas like Finance, Real Estate, Legal, Strategy, and Data & Analytics. He played a critical role in embedding values-driven leadership and integrated talent strategies into enterprise-wide functions.
Previously, he was Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition at Scotiabank, where he oversaw strategic recruitment initiatives and led enterprise-wide talent acquisition operations. Under his leadership, the bank earned the 2021 LinkedIn Talent Award for best usage of Talent Insights in Canada, and he was instrumental in launching an in-house Executive Talent Acquisition team, enhancing both cost efficiency and diversity in hiring.
Before joining Scotiabank, James was the Managing Director and National Leader of Workforce Planning, Resource Management, and Recruitment at PwC Canada, where he was responsible for resourcing strategies, global mobility, and recruitment excellence. He led a Centre of Excellence covering workforce planning, sourcing, and talent deployment across the firm’s Canadian operations.
James also held several senior leadership roles at PwC Australia, including Director of Client & Market Experience, where he drove PwC’s Experience strategy and led national programs in culture transformation and client engagement. Earlier, he held roles in mobility leadership, recruitment, and assurance both at PwC Canada and PwC Bermuda, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to strategic talent solutions.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by its purpose “for every future,” it helps customers, communities, and employees unlock their potential through trusted financial services, advice, and innovative solutions. With a strong presence across Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of Asia, Scotiabank is known for its inclusive culture, commitment to ESG leadership, and investment in learning and development. The bank continues to shape the future of financial services through people-first strategies and progressive leadership.
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