Hi, I’m James
I help healthcare professionals navigate change with confidence through practical AI training, career coaching and speaking.
My Story
Over more than three decades in healthcare, I've seen medicine, medical education and technology change in ways I could never have imagined when I first qualified. Throughout that time, one thing has remained constant: the importance of helping people develop the confidence to adapt, learn and thrive.
Portfolio Career
I didn't set out to build a portfolio career. Like many doctors, my career evolved through opportunities, challenges and a growing understanding of what I most enjoyed. I spent over 30 years in the NHS, including 14 years as an Emergency Medicine Consultant. Along the way I took on educational and leadership roles that gradually became as rewarding to me as clinical practice itself.
Lasting impact
As a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University, Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills, and Specialty Tutor, I found particular satisfaction in helping students, trainees and colleagues develop their knowledge, skills and confidence. Later, through roles with NHS England and my own educational work, that focus expanded beyond emergency medicine to supporting healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties.
Helping people learn
Over time, I realised that the part of my work I looked forward to most wasn't simply teaching clinical knowledge. It was helping people learn, adapt and make confident decisions in a rapidly changing profession. That realisation led me to build the portfolio career I have today: AI education, career coaching and speaking, all grounded in real NHS work.
What I believe
Three things shape everything I do
Practical, accessible, useful learning
Human Before AI. Human After AI
Intentional Careers
Practical, Accessible, Useful Learning
Learning should be practical, accessible and immediately useful. Whether I'm teaching AI, coaching an individual or speaking to a conference audience, my aim is to help people think more clearly, feel more confident and take meaningful action.
Human Before AI, Human After AI
Technology should support people, not replace them. That's why my AI training is built on a simple principle: human before AI, human after AI.
INtentional Careers
Careers should be intentional rather than accidental. Coaching helps you make decisions based on your values, not someone else's expectations.
These beliefs come from experience. After more than 30 years in the NHS, I've seen how change affects people at every stage of their careers. I spent 14 years as an Emergency Medicine Consultant and over 20 years in medical education, helping clinicians develop confidence in their skills. As a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and Director of Simulation at Northumbria Trust, that work has taken me across a wide range of specialties. As an ILM Level 5 Coach and Educational Supervisor, I've supported more than 100 doctors through career decisions.
experience
Clinical
MB ChB, Sheffield, 1997
Fellow of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (FRCEM), 2007
20+ years in Emergency Medicine, including 14 years as a Consultant
Over 30 years in the NHS
coaching
ILM Level 5 Coach, qualified 2024
Coaching regularly since 2023
Over 100 doctors supervised since 2008
Ethical coaching practice aligned with the Global Code of Ethics, 2021
education experience
Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University
Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills, Northumbria Trust
Specialty Tutor, Northumbria Emergency Department
Diploma in Medical Education
Member of the Academy of Medical Educators
Over 20 years developing educators and leading simulation programmes
I've worked with organisations including NHS England, Northumbria Healthcare, North Cumbria Integrated Care, Newcastle University and a wide range of NHS trusts. I've delivered keynotes, workshops and faculty development across the UK.
Beyond work
I enjoy a personal challenge whether that’s completing a long distance triathlon, appearing in musical theatre or joining the Newcastle Magic Circle. These experiences taught me a lot about stepping outside your comfort zone, accepting help from others and being willing to look foolish while you learn something new. These lessons apply to career change, leadership, adopting AI too.
HOw I can help
Whether you're looking to develop your AI skills, think differently about your career or bring an engaging speaker to your organisation, I'd be delighted to help.