James graduated from the University of Edinburgh and initially worked in small animal practice in England before completing a one year internship and residency in small animal oncology at the University of Liverpool. Here he underwent extensive training in the disciplines of medical oncology and radiotherapy. James holds the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) Diploma in Small Animal Oncology and is a recognised European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology and a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology. He also holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Small Animal Medicine.

Subsequent to his training, James became a lecturer in oncology at the University of Liverpool where, in addition to running busy clinics seeing cancer patients, he was also responsible for teaching undergraduate students, postgraduates undergoing oncology training, and members of the nursing team. In 2013, James joined a large referral centre where he helped to develop the oncology service. James is a member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, the European Society of Veterinary Oncology and is a regular speaker to vets on oncology topics and has published on various subjects in veterinary literature, including blood biomarkers in certain cancers, chemotherapy for canine lymphoma and canine oral mast cell tumours.

Having spent the last few years working in America in one of the most established veterinary radiation centres in the world, James is experienced in all aspects of modern veterinary radiation, clinical oncology and achieve high-level skills in treatment planning; particularly intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy.

James was awarded the 2019 ACVR resident prize for his research into radiation therapy for plasma cell tumours

In his spare time James enjoys getting out and about in the countryside, music and travelling.