Jim is one of the most inspiring and highly sought after speakers and coaches in Europe. Feedback from his appearances around the world is consistently excellent with agencies, conference organisers and the business leaders being thrilled with the result. It has even been known for them to cry. His books, The Ten Rules for Taming Tigers and The Year of the Racehorse are both due out this year.

He is the only speaker to have developed a unique model for sales and business success – The Ten Rules for Taming Tigers - and then to have proved it in response to an audience challenge. He put his life on the line using only the Ten Rules to become a licensed jockey in just twelve months from being an overweight non-rider. He continues to challenge himself – daily – just as hard as he suggests the audience might.

Jim’s trademarks are inspiration, energy, great humour, challenging calls to action, solid, practical tips, and meticulous presentation to re-enforce the messages of the day and to match the culture of the organisation and the level of the audience. In addition, sales audiences are always delighted to see him because he brings great inside tips to most events from the yards of Lambourn where he lives, writes and rides.

He speaks with the subtlety of a good coach, the audience’s minds being distracted with laughter before being teased and dared to examine and challenge their own behaviours, attitudes and the fears that currently hold them back.

He speaks from a position of authority and credibility from having run change and leadership programs as CEO of Change and Communication Gurus Optimise, being a coach to various senior leaders, having considerable achievements behind him in sales and having lost two and a half stone and started racing as a jockey at the age of 37 (rated third most dangerous sport in the world). Before founding Optimise, Jim was a City M and A lawyer and then International Legal Counsel with global IT Solutions and Services giant ICL (now Fujitsu).

His own first steps to achieving peak performance came with the decision to quit the law - and his salary and nice car - and go to school again to learn the craft of acting, which he practised on stage and screen whilst establishing Optimise. He does not deny that it gives him a very unfair advantage as a speaker.

Jim speaks frequently on the following areas: Inspirational/Motivational Keynote and call to action – Taming Tigers, Gaining The Mental Edge in Sales, Building Winning Teams, Taking the leap into leadership – Taming the Leadership Tiger, Leading Change, Engaging the Organisation, Leadership Communication,

"I have worked with Jim on stage at three high-profile Barclaycard leaders' conferences. Not only is he engaging, challenging, inspiring and very funny but he delivers a practical, compelling model for achieving results which he has risked his life on the racecourse to prove."
Gary Hoffman, Exec Director of Barclays PLC, Chairman of Barclays UK Banking and Barclaycard

“Sometimes in life you realise that you are experiencing something that will move you forward and that you will never quite be the person you were ever again. I had a life changing experience as I listened to you and watched you. Your Rules for Taming Tigers are so appropriate, I have read and listened to Stephen Covey on the “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” many times and found him refreshing, sound and practical. However, you have inspired me in a way that Mr Covey was unable to.”
Senior Leader – Barchester Healthcare plc

Jim is a true professional, great eye to detail, he captures the mood of any event
Bob Wilson – co- founder Willow Foundation and England and Arsenal Football Legend