Meet the JDers

My catchphrase:

In the words of a well known sports brand….. Just do it!

My fave Spotify playlist:

Songs to sing in the Car – got to love a power ballad, just to embarrass the kids

Dream dinner party guests?

Without doubt Gino Di Campo – he’s bonkers, he can bring his friends Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix too for extra laughs.

My most-Googled holiday destination:

Bora Bora (see you there Kel!) and Vegas baby!

Mastermind specialist subject:

As office quizmaster hit me with your best questions! I never cease to surprise myself with my vast stash of useless knowledge #justcallmeMonkman

If I had to live in the past or the future:

An 80’s kid at heart I’d live in the past, doing the Rick and Roll to ‘never gonna give you up’, sporting a footballers perm with matching moustache, and sipping on Sodastreams… either that or the 15th Century, because I do love a good use of the word ‘Thus’

My escape:

My photos. Whenever I get a spare moment you will find me reminiscing through my thousands of photos. Epic experiences make memorable snaps.

My most Googled holiday destination

I love travelling so that’s a difficult one but my ultimate getaway would be to go on safari in the Masaai Mara, Kenya

If I was a vegetable:

I would be a sweet pepper

My catch phrase:

If it’s not a ‘Hell Yeh’, it’s a No

My favourite ice cream:

Rum and Raisin

My most-Googled holiday destination:

The David Sheldrick Elephant Santuary in Kenya and the Bistate Lodge in Rwanda to see the gorillas, they are top of the bucket list just need to actually book it!

If I had to pick to live in either the past or the future:

For anyone that knows me – Yes, its the future please :-)

Dream dinner party guests?

Ada Lovelace, Rudolph Nureyev, Mohammad Ali, David Attenborough, Lady Gaga, Joe Rogan, Ernest Shackleton and my lovely Mum

Mastermind specialist subject:

The pistes of Courchevel 

Dream dinner party guests?

Dame Judi Dench, Bob Mortimer and Mel Giedroyc along with my wife and small group of my oldest and closest friends. Oh, and let’s have Barack Obama there too please… just because!

My fave Deliveroo order:

Sushi any time of day or night. Followed by… more sushi please!

My 10%:

Anything creative or innovate, I’m energised by ideas, making, breaking and painting. My house is filled with my own abstract Pollock-style pieces.

My most-Googled holiday destination:

French Polynesia or anywhere with a buttery biscuit base beach… in a constant state of Wanderlust and booking my next long haul trip.

Dream dinner party guests?

A science geek at heart it would have to be Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Graham Hancock, Elon Musk, Hugh Jackman, Louis Theroux, Charles Darwin, Brian Cox

My 10%:

Process, Process, Process

My favourite ice cream:

Ferrero Rocher gelato please, yum!

My fave Deliveroo order:

Wagas (Praying they bring back my old fave, the chicken chilli men)

My most-Googled holiday destination:

Bora Bora (see you there Col!)

If I was a vegetable, I would be:

A carrot (rooted from the ground up, with strong morals and values)

Dream dinner party guests?

Ed Sheeran, Robert De Niro, David Attenborough, Michael McIntyre, Gordon Ramsay, Nelson Mandela, Angelina Jolie

James is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur, leadership coach and management consultant. Following an international career with several global brands where he held leadership positions, he founded and ran several businesses, including Strengthscope®, a global HR Tech platform, which he successfully grew over 12 years before selling his stake in the business.
James is passionate about helping leaders optimize their talents and seeing Tech disruptors and innovators succeed and thrive. Drawing on his expertise in leadership psychology, executive coaching, organizational change and talent management, he has helped numerous companies, including Commvault, Farfetch, Gilead, PhotoBox, Novo Nordisk, Oracle, Takeda and Yahoo! to achieve their goals.
James is a regular speaker on leadership, coaching and the psychology of success and positive organizations. He has authored several books and his articles have been published in various publications, including Fast Company, Financial Times, CEO, Director and Personnel Today.

My Success

Leaving the rat race and freelancing has meant I’m less stressed and have more time for the important people in my life

My Escape

Weekends at our Southampton retreat

My Things

Massive movie fan with over 1500 films in my collection

Fun Fact

I can drive a Steam Train, and have done on the Main Line – and it’s how I met my partner having shovelled five tons of coal

My Success:

I once ate my dinner in under 8 seconds, a new world record apparently! Typically I am much slower, usually woofing it down in an average of 11 seconds.

My Escape:

Running around Ascot Racecourse or Virginia Water Lake and going swimming, doggy paddle of course!

My Stuff:

My hoomans, treats and my bed

Fun Fact:

I live quite near Windsor Castle and once met the Queen out walking… I’ve always fancied myself part of the Royal Family actually, the Corgis look like great fun