James Martin

I am a "specialist gneralist" who partners with, advises, and delivers for leaders and leadership teams to achieve strategic and operational value.

I bring 25 years' track record improving team and commercial performance in small and large businesses previously in marketing-communications, business development and client relationship management more recently in general management and high level administration (equivalent to a Chief of Staff, Head of Executive Office, Business Operations professional).

I've been exposed to, and involved in, a plethora of different projects related to all aspects of running a major department and business (strategy, special projects, operations, admin, compliance, procurement, markets, clients, comms, technology/data, financials, people/culture etc). In essence, I specialise in taking on responsibility for whatever leaders and leadership teams need, freeing up hundreds of hours of their valuable time to devote to their individual priorities.

I view my key strengths as my versatility and ability to pick up information quickly as well as context/task-switch, working cross-functionally within complex, demanding, fast-moving, high-pressure and confidential environments (often with an international remit across geographies). I am extremely collegiate and act with a positive, low ego mentality in order to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues.

I also have almost 20 years experience in building and managing people/teams, unlocking performance improvements and enhancing morale, motivation and professional upskilling. I've led professionals across the following departments: marketing, business development, IT, Data, Operations, Procurement, Executive Assistant as well as Compliance, Risk and Intake/Conflicts. I believe culture eats strategy for breakfast, with driving high standards in terms of behaviours and values as important as results.

I also strive to be a sophisticated verbal and written communicator, drafter, editor and reviewer. I've drafted, reviewed, edited and produced hundreds of different types of business communications spanning day-to-day BAU content, business plans and strategies, marketing and selling materials (both offline and online, brief and detailed) and publications and articles.

I'm interested in working on projects in any of the above areas, of any type or duration. I am extremely open-minded, so please do reach out if any doubts and I commit to providing a swift answer as to whether I feel I can credibly deliver what is required.