James fell into recruitment at the age of 18 when he took up running a driver and logistics recruitment business for a former employer. Working in a fiercely competitive market, it was there he developed a passion for meeting new people, building genuine relationships and growing a business from the ground up.
15 years on, James is still in recruitment, with over a decade of specialist experience placing part-qualified and qualified accountants across Yorkshire and the North.
James joined Distinct because of the people and the opportunity to help grow the business across Yorkshire and the North. He now focuses on permanent finance appointments up to £70,000, specialising in part and newly qualified accountants as well as those with 1-2 years post qualified experience.
James takes a calm, consultative approach built on strong relationships and real knowledge of the Yorkshire market. For him, it’s about meeting interesting and meaningful people to understand what a business actually needs.
He works closely with candidates through key career milestones – from ACA first movers stepping out of practice, to part-qualified, newly qualified and accountants with 1-2 years PQE looking for their next move.
When working with clients, he helps shape roles to build well-balanced finance teams. He enjoys the fast pace nature of the job, but what matters most is seeing people succeed and helping businesses grow.
James is passionate about helping businesses expand their footprint across Yorkshire and the North. A key part of his work involves market mapping – helping clients navigate the local talent landscape and plan their future team structures with clarity.
He also supports businesses through periods of change, including finance function restructures and outsourcing. Whether a company is scaling up, reshaping its team or adapting to a new way of working, James focuses on providing honest, practical advice that keeps both businesses and careers moving forward.
Outside of work, James is a big advocate for hybrid training, balancing regular gym sessions with running as he prepares for his first marathon. When he’s not training, he’s following football as a lifelong, dedicated Manchester City fan.
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