James is Managing Director of the EMEA Consultancy business and specialises in cost and project management solutions for key clients across multiple sectors. A proven leader and known for his ability to drive closure to commercial issues, James’ strengths are working in challenging environments that require a collaborative approach to achieve best-in-class results for clients.

Based in the Middle East for more than 18 years providing cost management services across a broad range of projects in a variety of sectors including hotels, leisure, residential, commercial, retail, sports, aviation, infrastructure and master planning, James’ professional career began in 1999 with Davis Langdon in London.  Achieving Member status of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors after completing his MA in Construction Cost Management, he transferred to Bahrain in 2005 to support the growth of the Middle East market, where he was responsible for managing project teams to deliver a variety of works James moved to the UAE in 2008 as part of the start-up team to open the Abu Dhabi office where he was responsible for the leadership and development of cost management services.

In 2014, James moved to Gardiner & Theobald to lead the UAE offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, successfully turning both into a profit-making business and securing key appointments with Jumeirah, Meraas and Mubadala.

James took ownership of the Gardiner & Theobald UAE offices in 2017 and merged with Matthews Southwest EMEA. Since the commencement of this successful union, James has been driving growth of the business with key clients across the region.