In 2005, James became CEO and co-founder of Senergy Ltd, a new start services group with interests in alternative energy and oil and gas. Before that, he’d accumulated over 20 years experience in well engineering, well construction management and business management, including 14 years as a UK and international operator. He was the founder and ultimately president of the North Sea's leading Turnkey Wells Project Management Company, an active member of the joint industry / government task force scheme (Pilot), 1997-2002, and co-creator of Scotland’s renewable energy task force Freds.