James’s successful business career started in 1981 at Herdwise, one of the UK’s largest private cattle breeding companies becoming CEO in 1985 based in North Yorkshire. In 1987, he was the co-purchaser of Cardosi, a small ice cream business operating from Teesside. The business, which had six employees and sales of around £250,000 per annum, was then re-named Richmond Ice Cream and production moved to Leeming Bar. As Chief Executive Officer, James subsequently led the team, which transformed this business into R&R Ice Cream with sales of c.£1bn and he stepped down in 2015. It has now merged with Nestle European Ice Cream business and is called Froneri.
James was named EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 and retired soon after from R&R. He is currently Chairman of Burton’s Biscuit Co and Director of Panmure Gordon. James is a former Chairman of Inspired Pet Nutrition, Animalcare and Whitman Howard. He was also a Non-Executive Director of Story Homes and Meadow Foods. James is currently an investor and advisor to Masons Gin, along with several other startups.
He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2013.
Food and Drink
Accountancy
Business Planning
Exporting
Fast Growth
Finance
Innovation
Management Skills
Market Research
Marketing
Project Management
Risk & Crisis Management
Sales
Sustainability
