James has a diverse background spanning multiple industries. He gained extensive knowledge in building and construction from 1989 to 2002 before pursuing a career as a professional musician, touring globally between 1995 and 2009.

Alongside his wife, he built and self-managed a private property portfolio of 21 units between 2006 and 2012 and worked full-time as a landlord and developer from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, he took on project management of a £320k refurbishment/new build project in Luton and co-founded Keystage Properties Ltd (now Keystage CIC), focusing on supported living schemes for individuals with mental health and learning disabilities. That same year, he co-founded i-occupy Ltd, specializing in high-end HMO developments, expanding the portfolio significantly between 2012 and 2018. In 2018, James founded Keystage Housing to support individuals vulnerable to homelessness, growing the team to 90 personnel managing 266 units by 2023 and collaborating with local authorities to combat rough sleeping.

Currently, his primary focus is driving Keystage CIC and Keystage Housing forward, guided by his core values of People, Passions, Purpose, and Place. His work has required substantial funding from various partners, and he takes great pride in the trust and credibility he has built with investors and stakeholders.