James has a history of operational transformation and technology innovation, especially within the financial and professional services sector. He has played pivotal roles as both a consultant and an executive.
He was Aon PLC’s Group COO, where he helped create, then led, Aon Business Services, integrating Aon’s fragmented operations and technology functions into a centrally managed 20,000 FTE service organization, leveraging both internal and external capabilities and establishing a set of global technology platforms. This led to over $500 million in cost efficiencies and provided a foundation for the firm’s growth. As CEO of Aon’s global digital business he revolutionised the approach to the $1b small client segment and drove the acquisition and scaling of CoverWallet, an SMB Insuretech business. In his early Aon career he led D&A and was CEO of Aon’s insurer consulting business. He was also a member of Aon’s global executive committee and co-chaired the firm’s risk committee.
Previously, James was a Partner and Managing Director in the Boston Consulting Group where he established BCG’s Technology and Insurance practices in the UK, working closely with Miguel. His focus was on large scale business and technology transformation. In 2012 he was asked to establish and lead BCG’s D&A practice, working with global clients to develop and execute data strategies.
James’s first career was in the British Army and Royal Marines, where he was an engineering officer, serving with NATO in Bosnia and Kosovo and the UN in Cyprus. He trained at RMA Sandhurst and has an MA in Engineering from Cambridge.
Outside of his professional life, James is interested in improving mental health in the workplace and chairs the Guiding Council of One Mind at Work. He has a love for Judo and can be found running, maintaining old cars, or looking after alpacas and sheep.