James has been working in financial services for over 15 years. James has a degree in Economics from Newcastle University following which he then worked for a Wealth Management firm in Newcastle Upon Tyne. James joined the financial services department of national law firm Simpson Millar LLP in 2004 and became the managing director of Simpson Millar Financial Services Ltd in 2012 when the department was hived off into its own company.

In August 2017 James completed on the acquisition of Simpson Millar Financial Services Ltd and the company was renamed Dune Financial Planning Ltd.

James holds the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate and is a Chartered Financial Planner.

James specialises in providing independent financial planning advice to recipients of personal injury, medical negligence and criminal injury settlements and their representatives. He has extensive experience advising deputies on Court of Protection cases and trustees of personal injury trusts on implementing suitable investment strategies and financial planning.

James works closely with the claimant's legal team as an expert witness on pre-settlement quantum matters and has provided many reports to the Court covering the viability of periodical payments. He often attends round table settlement meetings to provide financial analysis during the settlement negotiations, to assist the legal advisers and help secure the claimant's future.

In his spare time James enjoys playing golf, walking, sailing and travelling.