James joined Oxford HR in 2023 as principal consultant. In 2024 James has lead on searches for senior roles at Fauna and Flora, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Elders, Global Canopy, Bonsucro, UN IFAD, Water Witness and WeForest.

He has over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector focused in conservation, environment, animal welfare and emergencies. He has operated in more than 40 countries, delivering policy change at national and international levels as well as significant service delivery to beneficiaries and changes to protected area status. James has led on organisational level change and has facilitated high level strategy development for several organisations.

After many years of conservation fieldwork in Africa, Asia and Latin American, James’ first senior role was as Executive Director of Operations at CCC Ltd, managing marine and terrestrial surveys and the implementation of protection areas. From there he moved to WSPA as Global Programme Director for Disaster Management working on the intersection of animal and human need in emergencies. After nine years he moved to become Director of Programmes at CDP, working on environmental disclosure and overseeing global programmes. James then moved on to become Executive Director of IFAW UK overseeing a significant income portfolio as well as leading the organisation’s approach to new models of conservation financing.

James has an MSc in Emergency Planning and Disaster Management and is the co-author of ‘Animal Welfare and Management in Natural Disasters’. He is also an explorer, credited with first explorations in the Philippines and Madagascar, returning new species candidates and obtaining the first photos in the wild for several species. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer and a trustee of BARTA. He continues to provide consultancy in the intersection of natural assets and financial services and within the animal sector.