James has led a rich and eventful life, with no regrets. His journey began as a milkman’s helper, a humble start while he awaited his enlistment date. Joining the army right after school provided him with a strong foundation, instilling in him the values of hard work, discipline, and integrity. These principles have guided him throughout his life and career. Punctuality, for instance, is something he takes seriously; the army taught him that if you're not five minutes early, you're late.

 

This lesson has stayed with him, emphasizing the importance of reliability and accountability, qualities that have been ingrained in him since childhood. The military was a family tradition, with his grandfathers, father and cousins all serving, which further reinforced these values.

 

After his military service, James transitioned into the IT industry, an area that has always intrigued him. From programming on a ZX80 to developing modern mobile apps, he has nurtured a deep passion for coding. There’s nothing more satisfying to him than seeing an app he developed being used and helping others learn from it.

 

His career path eventually led him to the Oil and Gas industry, where he spent over 15 years working with senior management to develop and implement business processes across key locations. His experience as an expatriate comes naturally; he was born an expatriate, with his early years in Africa while his father served abroad, and he has spent over two decades living and working outside the UK.

 

James is a strong advocate of continuous education, always eager to learn and tackle new challenges. While working in the Oil and Gas sector, he studied law, ultimately obtaining his Master’s in Law (LL.M) and publishing a paper on Major Corporations and Human Rights.

 

Now, having returned to the UK, James founded The Café App Ltd, a software development company dedicated to supporting SMEs, charities, and military-focused businesses. The mission is to assist these organizations in leveraging technology to enhance their operations and outreach. He is particularly passionate about supporting veterans and their families, a commitment that led The Café App Ltd to join the Armed Forces Covenant, earning a Bronze Award for their efforts in supporting the veterans community.