About James

Hi, I'm
James.

Executive coach, strategic advisor, and builder. I work with founders and business leaders who want to approach their work — and their lives — with genuine intentionality.

JH
Photo placeholder
My story

Built for people who do things their own way.

I've spent my career working with businesses across manufacturing, services, private equity, and tech — across different stages, different challenges, and different contexts. What I've found again and again is that the leaders who navigate complexity best aren't the ones with the most information or the most resources. They're the ones who think clearly, decide deliberately, and lead with genuine intention.

That's what HeyJames is built around. Whether it's 1:1 coaching, a strategy sprint, or an ongoing advisory relationship, the goal is always the same: to help you think more clearly about what actually matters, and to do something about it.

I'm based in Sydney, work with clients across Australia and internationally, and I believe deeply that the best work happens when there's honesty, trust, and a willingness to ask the hard questions — including of yourself.

Work with me
What I believe

A few things I think are true.

Clarity before speed.

Moving fast in the wrong direction is worse than moving slowly in the right one. The best leaders I've worked with know when to pause and when to push.

Honest beats comfortable.

Good coaching and good advisory requires honesty — the kind that's sometimes uncomfortable. I'd rather give you something useful than something that makes you feel good.

Intention is a practice.

Working with intention isn't something you achieve once. It's something you practise — in how you set priorities, make decisions, lead your team, and spend your time.

Context matters enormously.

What works in a VC-backed startup won't work in a family-owned manufacturer. I try hard to understand the specific context before offering a view on anything.

Simple wins.

The best strategies are ones that people can actually remember and execute. If a plan requires a 40-page slide deck to explain, it's probably not a good plan.

Build things that matter.

Whether it's a business, a product, or a way of working — it's worth doing things that you can be proud of. That tends to produce better results anyway.

Where I work

Sectors and contexts.

My work spans a wide range of sectors and business types. The common thread is leaders who want to think clearly and do the work properly.

🏭
Manufacturing
Operators running complex businesses
🤝
Services
Professional and business services firms
📈
Private Equity
Portfolio companies and leadership teams
🚀
Tech Startups
Founders building something new

Want to work together?

Start with a free 30-minute call. No obligation — just a conversation.

Get in touch