James has served as consultant to numerous media investment and financing companies. He has a diverse background, having worked in direct marketing, television, media and film production in an international context on more than four continents.

James studied Marketing and Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and at Hitotsubashi University, Japan. He holds a Masters in Fine Art from the Film and Video Department of the School of Art Institute of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the media department of the Slade School, UCL, London. James is fluent in five languages and resides in Auckland, New Zealand.