James trained at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester graduating in 1975 with an NDA and a Diploma in Advance Farm Management.

Before joining Velcourt in 1978 James worked in the Farm Business Consultancy Department of a national firm of UK Land Agents.

James's career with Velcourt started as a farm foreman on an arable enterprise in West Kent.  In 1980 he took on the management of a large-scale arable enterprise in West Norfolk growing a range of irrigated crops and cereals.  In 1983 he was appointed Managing Director of Stokes Bomford Farms Ltd.. and in 1985, combined this role with a new position as MD of Stokes Bomford Chemicals Ltd..  These two companies, acquired by Velcourt, were set for a complete reorganisation which he successfully oversaw.

James became a Director of Velcourt Group plc in 1987, its Managing Director in 1990 and Chief Executive in 1991.

Responsibilities

James is currently a non-executive Director of both Openfield and Grosvenor Farms Ltd..: in addition he sits on the Board of seven other companies operating in the property and agricultural sectors.



James lives in Dorset on his family farm which is predominantly a dairy farm with 1,600 cows in milk.  This business is managed by Velcourt.

James is a member of the Agricultural Forum and is an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

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