James has 54 years of investment industry experience. He was a member of the investment committees of all four Gresham and Columbus Capital funds raised by Joe Froud, as well as those of ING Lionbrook Property Partnership and CBRE Global Investors. He is currently a consultant to AEW UK Investment Management LLP. He has served as a non-executive director of Raven Mount plc and non-executive Chairman of Saville Gordon Estates plc.

James began his career at Phillips & Drew in 1967 where he held various sales and research positions before being appointed partner in 1981. From 1990 to 1998, he was head of property at PDFM Limited (now UBS Global Asset Management Limited). From 1986 to 1990, he was a director of property corporate finance at UBS Phillips & Drew.