James is an experienced hospitality practitioner and consultant, with 30 years’ involvement in the industry. After graduating with a degree in Hospitality Business Management, James followed his passion and developed a management career in food and beverage with various hotels, restaurants, and bars. He established his own consultancy business, working with independent and national hospitality organisations to successfully support business improvements across a range of functions.

James joined Russell Partnership Collection in 2021 and has delivered projects for leading organisations across the hotel, food service, events, education, healthcare and government sectors. He is skilled in reviewing and developing catering strategies, creating new food concepts, and managing design projects. James has also delivered training programmes for leading international hotel, travel, and leisure operators. His cross-sector experience includes project delivery for the Commonwealth Games 2022, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Ascot Racecourse, and Scottish Event Campus.

As Consulting Principal, James leads our team within the higher education sector, including clients such as the London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford.

Qualified to master’s level in Organisation Development and Consultancy, James is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and an experienced university lecturer in hospitality management.