James is currently the Chief Executive of the Birmingham Children’s Trust, leading Children’s Social Care in the largest local authority in Europe. Previously he has been the Corporate Director for Children and Culture for Tower Hamlets, driving improvements across schools and children’s social care, recognised with an Outstanding Ofsted judgement; Chief Executive of the formative Northamptonshire Children’s Trust as their alternative delivery model developed; Director of Children’s Services for Richmond-Upon-Thames delivered through community interest company Achieving for Children; Director of Children’s Services for Tameside Council, helping to drive their improvement plans as well as leading for Greater Manchester on safeguarding reform; Director of Children’s Services & Community Neighbourhoods for Newham; and the Director of Family Services for Westminster and Tri-borough. James remains registered as a Social Worker and held a number of posts as a children’s practitioner and manager before moving into strategic leadership roles across four different regions. James has long been an active member of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, is Chair of the West Midlands ADCS Region and has for some years been their national lead on multi-agency safeguarding.