James is the Director of Programmes at the Sutton Trust, where he has worked for eight years. He has responsibility for the Trust’s project work, including flagship initiatives such as its UK and US summer school programmes and Pathways to Law.

James also led the Trust's bid for the £135m Education Endowment Fund and undertook the role of interim Chief Executive. James is a trustee of accessprofessions.com and The Brilliant Club, one of the founder directors of The Children's University, a NET Leading Thinker, and a member of the advisory board of Nottingham Potential.