James, a graduate in accountancy, began his career as a trainee accountant but soon pivoted to finance recruitment, driven by his passion for connecting with people. With over 20 years of experience, including serving as CEO at Macildowie Recruitment, he played a key role in earning the company recognition as the Sunday Times’ 5th best small company to work for in the UK.
James co-founded Distinct in 2016, motivated by the belief that people really do make the difference. Under his leadership, the company has expanded from five to 50 employees, supporting candidates and clients across the Midlands, Greater London and North America. Distinct’s success has enabled the establishment of offices in Nottingham, London and Boston. James leads Distinct’s UK and USA teams with a mission to support individuals to thrive, fostering environments where people genuinely enjoy their work and have meaningful growth opportunities.
Founded in 2016 by James and Arran, Distinct was built with a clear vision: to create a workplace that genuinely prioritised its people. With a single Apple Mac and an ambitious team of five, they set out to build a truly great place to work. Since then, Distinct has grown exponentially, from James managing the accounts to teams across marketing, HR and finance to support the business’s dynamic workforce.
Distinct’s journey isn’t confined to the UK; its USA expansion has been a key milestone with operations now spanning 20 East Coast states. In 2024 alone, Distinct opened a Boston office, made its first American hire and enabled two consultants to work abroad, further solidifying its presence across North America.
In the UK, Distinct’s Nottingham HQ has expanded four times, while its London King’s Cross office grew within a year to accommodate a growing team. Distinct’s success reflects a deep belief in continuous evolution, with James taking immense pride in providing the best opportunities for his team.
Distinct’s mission of supporting people to thrive reflects James’ dedication to fostering people-centric growth. He emphasises hiring only the ‘right’ people whose values align with Distinct’s own:
James is deeply committed to listening to feedback from colleagues and acting on it to create an environment where employees can truly thrive. This approach has inspired meaningful initiatives, including achieving carbon-neutral status and embarking on the B Corp journey.
Distinct has introduced enhanced employee benefits, including private healthcare and improved maternity pay while making significant investments in employee development. This includes access to professional coaches, dedicated training budgets and clear, structured career paths. Even small changes, like swapping the traditional Christmas party for an overnight spa retreat, highlight how Distinct – and James – do things differently, creating a workplace where people genuinely flourish.
Away from the office, James embraces the joys and challenges of parenthood, raising two energetic teenagers with his wonderful wife. A passionate Notts County fan, he is a keen skier and slightly less keen DIY-er.
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