James is a pioneer in the Canadian wealth management industry. In 2006 he joined the steering committee of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and became a founding member of the first FFI chapter in Canada. This chapter was the first FFI branch outside of the United States and served as a model for developing FFI chapters worldwide.

In 2009 and 2018 James co-authored the estate planning chapter of the international guide for advisors to families in business published by STEP. He was a founding member of the STEP Family Business Special Interest Group and in 2010 was the STEP representative on the curriculum review committee for the FFI Family Business certificate program. In 2012 he was awarded a STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising.

James has been advising professionals, executives, and families in business for over 20 years and in 2001 he co-founded one of the first multi-family offices (MFOs) in Canada. James facilitates a collaborative approach to developing strategic plans and provides leadership of multidisciplinary advisory teams on behalf of clients.

Prior to founding his MFO, James was an investment advisor and financial planner in a successful wealth management practice with over $140M under management. His career started in 1989 as an analyst with a major Canadian integrated oil company.