James trained as a molecular biologist for several years before making the move to process redesign and IT. He worked in hospitals in South West London for the Cancer Services Collaborative, an organisation funded by the NHS Modernisation Agency. He cut his teeth on national IT implementation following a move to NHS Connecting for Health where he worked as Best Practice Lead for pathology, order communications, and prevention, screening and surveillance before taking up the role of National Lead for Screening in Leeds.
James moved to the Health Protection Agency where his chief role was managing an operational Information Management department and contributing to strategic decision-making supporting infectious disease surveillance and control. He managed the Infections Specialist Library, which subsequently migrated to NICE as part of NHS Evidence.
James is now working as Head of Information Strategy at Public Health England and has authored the PHE Knowledge Strategy which provides a vision for knowledge and information for the whole public health system.
