James was born at Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent in 1946 the eldest of five children. His mother was a munitions worker and his father served as a soldier in the Parachute and the Special Air Service regiments during the war years.

Being the eldest of four brothers and a sister, he was expected to take care of them when both parents worked. James was educated in a typically formal state school system leaving school with no qualifications at the age of 15. His first job was that of an apprentice with the National Coal Board.

At the age of 24 he decided that he needed a change of career direction and sought employment as a company sales representative. Within a short period he secured an appointment with a large multi-national company where he served his formative years in sales. After four years and eager to improve his prospects he moved companies taking on both the sales and marketing roll of a division of a large PLC. Later he was engaged as a trouble-shooter for the main board of directors. He was later given the opportunity of forming a new division of another multi-national PLC. After a period of less than twelve years the new division performance exceeded that of the parent company.

In 2000 James decided to leave the multi-national and set-up business on his own account with a maritime invention. After researching funding opportunities, his company secured maximum funds to develop the invention. After successfully completing his research and developing a high profile product, the marine media exposure was truly complimentary. In 2002 James was presented with the DTI Smart Award for Innovation by Sir John Harvey Jones at Manchester University. In late 2004 James sold his company to business investors.

James has been married to Margaret for almost forty years they have two sons, both married, and two grandsons.

Hobbies and Interests past and present: Nature and wildlife, Scuba Diving, Motor Cycle Racing (competitor), Target Shooting (gold medallist), Ocean / Offshore Sailing, and Politics.

Political Aspirations: To promote the betterment of our Great Britain