THE DESIGN LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINT
Elevate your influence and align your design strategy with business goals. Don't just get the seat at the table - earn it, justify it and use it to achieve both your personal career
and business objectives.
SUPERCHARGE YOUR DESIGN LEADERSHIP
GET YOUR FREE 5 DAY MINI-COURSE TO ELEVATE YOUR DESIGN CAREER & GAIN STRATEGIC INFLUENCE
"I DIDN'T CHOOSE THE DESIGN LIFE...
...THE DESIGN LIFE CHOSE ME!"
HI, I'M JAMES
I'm a multi-award-winning Product Designer and strategic Design Leader. Over the past 12 years, I've led design transformations that have not only elevated product quality but also driven significant business outcomes. Whether working with start-ups or large international enterprises, my mission is to not just earn a seat at the table but to ensure design is a key player in achieving both personal and business success.
As a passionate mentor, I've coached over 30 students and delivered multiple design bootcamps. I have been fortunate enough to spearhead the development of scalable SaaS products, which have significantly accelerated business timelines and enhanced profitability. In B2B and B2C products, I've led cross-functional teams to introduce innovative solutions, achieving critical KPIs ahead of schedule and increasing profit margins by £5m.
I'm proud to have led design teams to prestigious awards such as 'Best Digital Experience' and 'Best Online Experience,' and have been recognised as a 'Leader & Champion of UK Design.'
MY STORY
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
My journey began in the world of sales and marketing, that I enjoyed, but always felt that something was missing. Driven by a desire for greater job satisfaction, I retrained in design and never looked back. But my approach was never just about the tactics—I was passionate about pushing design into strategic focus, where it could serve as a catalyst for achieving broader business goals.
This strategic approach accelerated my design career forward, earning recognition as a design leader. I loved roles where I managed teams, set design processes, and cultivated a culture of collaboration, learning and innovation. However, the early days weren't without their challenges; securing a 'seat at the table' was just the beginning. It took years of learning, trial and error, and collaboration to refine my process. The resilience paid off! I have developed a system to evaluate and elevate design maturity quickly, ensuring design is recognised as a strategic ally within organisations.
Now, I'm sharing my years of experience with aspiring design leaders. My goal is to help them grow faster, avoid the mistakes I made, and deliver immense value as credible and trusted strategic leaders.
"A Champion of Design"
James is by far one of the most talented professionals I know when it comes to understanding design and the end user. A champion of great user experience, he is fundamental in any product decisions I would make. I value his input not just on initial stages but also as a sense check throughout projects.
Becca S.
"An Invaluable Asset"
I am pleased to recommend James, an outstanding designer and leader with whom I had the pleasure of working with. His strategic vision and creative problem-solving were key to our team's success. As a manager, James fosters a collaborative and innovative environment, inspiring his team to achieve excellence. His dedication, creativity & leadership skills make him invaluable.
Rhys R.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
WHAT'S NEXT?
5 DAY MINICOURSE
Dive into essential strategies with my free 5 Day email guide to aligning design with business success. This course is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your design influence right away.
THE DLB COURSE
Enroll in this comprehensive course designed for aspiring design leaders. Learn to align your design strategy with business goals, drive impactful changes, and establish yourself as a strategic leader in your organisation.
1-2-1 MENTORING
Work directly with me for personalised mentoring tailored to your unique challenges and goals. Gain strategic insights and valuable feedback to accelerate your growth as a design leader.
All of my programs and services have a 30-day money-back guarantee,
so what are you waiting for? Book a call and let's get started today!
WHEN I'M NOT DESIGNIN'
01
I'm a movie buff at heart—my DVD collection hit 4,500 by the age of 21!
02
With 2 beautiful daughters, 2 crazy dogs, a cat, and a loving wife, home truly is a mad house!
03
Outside of design, my other passion is food. Ask me about my Big Green Egg, and you'll get a three-hour ear ache!
04
If I could still be playing rugby at my age I would! Gym, cycling and the many, many miles of dog walking will just have to do!
THINGS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT WORKING WITH ME
Frequently Asked Questions
The DLB course is built around aligning design strategy with business goals and offers clear, proven tactics for showing measurable ROI. For every $1 invested in design, you'll see a $100 return. Forbes
My course teaches you to move beyond execution and into leadership, where you can influence business outcomes and make a lasting impact on your organization. It's easy to follow and full of practical application. For really personalised guidance, there's nothing quite like a passionate and invested mentor.
I hear ya! I've been there, but I've also come out the other side and seen the utopia! My course will help you gain influence with stakeholders by demonstrating design’s impact on the bottom line. You'll know exactly what to do and when to do it, and even more importantly, speak the language.
Everything I share is step-by-step, and practical in nature. Tactics are actionable immediately, saving you time in the long run by streamlining your approach to leadership. Plus, you can avoid making costly mistakes that hold you back from achieving your true potential.
"A Champion of Design"
James is by far one of the most talented professionals I know when it comes to understanding design and the end user. A champion of great user experience, he is fundamental in any product decisions I would make. I value his input not just on initial stages but also as a sense check throughout projects.
Becca S.
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