About James

I've been an unconventional leader since I was a teenager. First with the scout movement, then the Territorial Army. After university I joined the UK civil service on a graduate management development programme. My career is now in its third decade and I've worked in Finance, HR, policy, strategy, IT, change, operations management and internal consultancy. Over the years I've mentored, coached and developed dozens of senior managers and hundreds of people.

Verify on Gov.UK – a user experience

I had occassion to become a beta user for the Government Digital Service sponsored Verify service (previously known as IDA – Identity Assurance). I’d come across this before at work, I spent the first six months of 2014 as the Continue reading Verify on Gov.UK – a user experience

Leadership Values – How do they develop?

leadership values

I’m currently in the midst of the HR component of my current Open University module (B203). It got me thinking about my leadership values and how they developed from my experiences as a leader. Young Leader My introduction to leadership came at Continue reading Leadership Values – How do they develop?

Book Review – The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson My rating: 4 of 5 stars I picked this one up, in paperback, some time ago because I had enjoyed The Men Who Stare at Goats. It sat on the shelf for ages, a Continue reading Book Review – The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

Half Trained

  I am now a half trained cub scout leader. I spent the weekend at Bentley Copse scout centre in Surrey doing the first two days of the four day adult leader training course. When I’m done I’ll have earnt Continue reading Half Trained

Opinion Polling Accuracy

A follow up article comparing opinion poll results with the actual election results of 18 September and what this might tell us for the 2015 General Election Continue reading Opinion Polling Accuracy