James graduated from Oxford with a first in chemistry and subsequently trained in London as a Chartered Accountant. He worked in various financial institutions in the city until retirement several years ago.
James has been happily married for many years and has two sons, the younger of whom (Gregory) has epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy and learning disability. After difficulties with his previous secondary school a place for Gregory was found at St Elizabeth’s initially as a day student. After winning a tribunal, he became a residential student at the school and subsequently the college, and has now graduated.
James was elected as a parent governor at St Elizabeth’s college in 2023, and was additionally invited to attend the Finance Audit and Risk Committee.
During his free time James has composed a number of songs and choral works based upon the anti-war poetry of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.