Speakers

James Mountford is an Executive Coach, Advisor and Facilitator, and Editor-in-Chief of BMJLeader, with more than 30 years of experience spanning healthcare, leadership, management consulting and higher education across the public and private sectors.

Based in London and working internationally, James partners with senior leaders, executive teams and organisations to navigate complex change, strengthen leadership capability and deliver meaningful, lasting improvement. His coaching combines strategic insight with practical, people-centred approaches to help leaders thrive in demanding environments.

Before becoming an executive coach, James held a range of senior leadership and non-executive roles within the NHS. Originally trained as a doctor, he spent a decade with McKinsey & Company before serving as Chief Learning and Quality Officer at the NHS Nightingale Hospital London during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later became Health Strategy Officer for Galileo Global Education in Paris, leading initiatives to strengthen healthcare education and workforce development.

James is a graduate of the University of Oxford and holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University. He is a graduate of the Meyler Campbell Mastered programme, a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), an Associate of the Institute of Coaching affiliated with Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, and a Visiting Professor in Healthcare Leadership and Innovation at Regent's University London.