James has lived in Elsworth since 1987. After studying Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University, he spent almost two decades on archaeological projects in the Indian Sub-continent.
He became involved in fundraising through his involvement with the Church and with Elsworth C.E. Primary School, where he was Chair of the Governing Body for 6 years. He was a Fellow and Director of Development at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge until his retirement in 2019. He now on the Executive Board of the University of Cambridge Rugby Club, where he is responsible for their fundraising, and he is the Chairman of the Peterborough Cathedral Charitable Trust.
In Elsworth he continues to be involved with Holy Trinity, where he has been Churchwarden for the last 22 years. He is the Treasurer of the Community Shop and can often be found volunteering behind the counter.
He cycles (a lot) on the vintage Holdsworth that he purchased in 1982.