James is the CEO of the Sutton Trust - the UK’s leading social mobility charity. He has over 18 years’ experience working in the charity and education sectors, having previously led the Trust’s £135m bid to set up the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in 2011. At the EEF, he served as a founding Trustee, Deputy and interim CEO.

James is also a trustee of the Centre for Homelessness Impact and a governor of a comprehensive school in the East Midlands, where he lives.