Prior to joining August Leadership, James started his executive search career in China in 2000 as the first employee of Heidrick & Struggles as a Partner and enjoyed stints at other large and entrepreneurial boutique search firms in Melbourne, where he lived and worked for 10 years.  James has drawn upon his business leadership and consulting experience to assist clients in building leadership teams in a range of technology, consulting, industrial, consumer, and distribution businesses. He has advised on the appointment of board directors and senior executives across the Asia Pacific.

James began his career in television news and the motion picture industry, before holding accounting, consulting, sales, and general management positions in London and Shanghai, with PwC, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and major software vendors, mostly in the enterprise management systems arena, serving clients in the manufacturing, consumer and pharmaceutical industries.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Chinese and Economics from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). A native of the U.K. and a proud Australian, he speaks fluent Mandarin. In his spare time, he has served on boards of the Australia China Business Council, British Chamber of Commerce and Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and is an active foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise.

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