James studied Biochemistry at Durham University and has worked for 10 years as an executive assistant across the health care and think tank sectors. He was PA to the President at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and has also worked at The Health Foundation and the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance hosted at the Wellcome Trust. He volunteers with Reconnect-UK, a social enterprise that contributes to a more inclusive society by the creation of a network of partners who offer goods and services to people experiencing homelessness. James left the Trust in June 2022.