Jim has worked in Countryside Management for the past 25 years, mostly in land management working with tenant farmers on farm projects, conservation, recreation and access, and also ESA, walls, hedges, and woodland re-establishment. Jim is experienced in upland erosion management and has strong inter-personal links with many organisations involved in land and recreational management. 

He is a member of the Countryside Managers Association, a retired member of the Association of British Mountain Guides and a member of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. His interests include rock climbing and mountaineering, mountain bikes and walking.