Don’t just take my word for it.

“James is an exceptional creative talent who drove significant business value across the organisation. He led the transformation of our entire design ecosystem, holding full creative ownership across all touchpoints. James was instrumental in shaping and executing the design vision for the single platform experience. This initiative successfully unified our products under one cohesive user experience. James worked closely with the Marketing and Growth teams. He effectively leveraged design thinking to successfully evolve and elevate the brand during a critical growth phase. As a leader, James is highly effective. He managed his design team with skill and clarity, successfully establishing a strong, high-performing design culture throughout AdvantageGo. James possesses the rare combination of deep design knowledge, strategic business thinking, and people leadership skills. Any company seeking a senior design leader capable of transforming their product and brand would be lucky to have him.”

Ian Summers // Chief Executive Officer // AdvantageGo

“It has been my pleasure to work with James over the past 4 years. In my role as Training Academy Manager, I needed to produce numerous digital training assets and to accomplish those goals, I have had to call upon James for help and assistance. Always willing to give willingly of his time and patience, James had listened to the brief and delivered a range of materials that I have been able to incorporate into my training assets. These include musical introductions and exits, graphical displays, and product and logo-specific backdrops and marketing materials, all to a highly professional level and also to the deadlines required, despite having his own task and projects to deliver.
From a social standpoint, I have greatly enjoyed his humour, wit and bonhomie over many a corporate or team evening out, and we are friends as well as colleagues. I value his input and feedback on my work, and look forward to continuing our working relationship.”

David Hiller // Training Academy Manager // AdvantageGo

“James worked with me at AdvantageGo and provided great quality, innovative marketing output. Always up for a challenge and very committed to hitting deadlines, I always knew that James would produce quality and impact with his work.”

David Smith // Account Director // AdvantageGo

“Every time I worked with James has been an absolute pleasure. Whenever he was in charge of a job, I had the absolute certainty that he would deliver. His work was always on point: precise and beautiful.”

Pablo González de la Peña // Head of Art // Creative Director // BBH London

“A strong designer with good all-round design skills. Very competent and fast when working on presentation decks and pitch work. Works well under pressure and always comes through with solid design solutions.”

Ali Augur // Head of Art // VCCP

“I have worked with James over the last 4 years at BBH, on countless pitches. He is a strong all-round designer, especially capable when working on fast-paced presentation materials and pitch work. His 8 years at BBH have moulded him into a solid designer with plenty of experience working in a fast-moving, large-scale agency. He would make a great addition to any design team, and I can strongly recommend him.”

Ross Mawdsley // Head of Design // Creative Director // BBH London

“I’ve been fortunate to know James for some time, and one thing is instantly clear: he’s a creative leader of the highest calibre. With more than two decades of experience in design and UX, James combines deep expertise with an ability to inspire people around him.

What sets him apart isn’t just his technical brilliance across multiple design disciplines. It’s his vision. James understands how to connect creativity with business impact, guiding teams to produce work that is not only beautiful and functional but also truly meaningful.

Even in conversation, it’s obvious he has that rare blend of curiosity, leadership and clarity that makes others raise their game. He brings an energy and perspective that challenge conventional thinking and consistently elevates outcomes.

If you’re looking for someone who can turn complex ideas into design solutions that exceed expectations, and who can lead with both creativity and authenticity, James is that person.”

Ross Chambers // Strategic Leader

“I worked with James at BBH - amongst other things he designed brilliant pitch presentations and marketing assets. Everything that comes out of BBH has to look perfect - and his work always lived up-to that.”

Tom Roach // Executive Strategy Director // Head of Effectiveness // adam&eveDDB

“James and I worked together aligning our design and development teams. James is very collaborative and consistently follows through on commitments, which made the process smoother and more efficient for everyone involved. He's a great designer with a wealth of knowledge and would be a great asset to any team.”

Dan Taylor // Senior Program Delivery Manager // AdvantageGo

“I worked with James at BBH London for five years. The majority of the briefs were for pitches, which all came with the expected pressure on quality and time, and James took them on with precision and pace. Aside from turning around enormous, beautiful pitch decks (and the many, many last-minute changes that came with them), James always made time to offer his advice and expertise for any questions - he really is a lovely guy.”

Josephine Kiernan // Senior Account Director // Think Jam London

“James is an outstanding design leader who brought vision, creativity, and clarity to the team. He consistently transformed complex problems into simple, elegant solutions while ensuring that design always stayed aligned with business goals and user needs. What stood out most was his ability to create an environment where collaboration, learning, and innovation thrived. Under his leadership, the team not only delivered high-quality work but also grew in confidence and capability. James truly set a standard of excellence in design leadership that will leave a lasting impact on the team.”

Shikhar Agarwal // Product Designer // AdvantageGo

“I had the pleasure of working with James for 4 years at BBH, sitting opposite him for the majority of that time. He is a brilliantly skilled designer with invaluable experience under his belt. His attention to detail is admirable, and you know when you ask him to get something done, he'll go above and beyond to make sure it's of the best quality. I learnt so much from James in those 4 years, he was incredibly patient in teaching me the ropes with basic Photoshop and PPT skills. Thank you, James.”

Lara Price // New Business Account Manager // BBH London

“James is an excellent designer. He was instrumental in redesigning the 'look and feel' of our applications. He has an extraordinary attention to detail and eye for the aesthetic. He is very helpful and always takes the time for his team. Thanks for all the support James.”

Amer Jahangir // Practice Leader // AdvantageGo

“Brilliant designer whose effort and design skills are only topped by his problem-solving abilities; a trait that is oh so valuable when you’re up against it for time. Also, a good all-round fella.”

David White // Account Director // BBH London

“I had the pleasure of working with James for seven great years, within the new business team at BBH London. James really got to know BBH's brand and championed it in everything we produced, not only for new business, but for all areas of the agency. James is a creative guy and was able to help us ideate and then produce materials for any pitch situation, whatever the client. He worked quickly and was cool as a cucumber in highly pressured situations. James's knowledge and passion for technology meant that we were able to work across all programs and apps so easily. James is a safe pair of hands! Lastly, James is a kind and caring individual and was so supportive of our whole team. I couldn't recommend James more.”

Julia Brenton // Account Director // Growth North America // BBH New York

“James is an excellent manager and contributor. His talent for UI/UX design and workflow is exceptional and he has been a fantastic spearhead for the UI team.”

Simon Fagg // Global Head of P&C Pre-Sales Solutions // AdvantageGo

“MAKES. EVERYTHING. LOOK. AMAZING. Also, a lovely guy.”

Will Lion // Chief Strategy Officer // BBH London

“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with James during our time together at AdvantageGo. As Presales Director, I’ve collaborated with James on several key initiatives, including the ongoing development of our demo environment, supporting slideware for demonstrations and go-to-market collateral.

James consistently brings clarity, creativity, and user-centric thinking to everything he touches. His ability to enhance complex underwriting workflows into intuitive, engaging experiences is second to none. Beyond his design expertise, James is a motivated and thoughtful driver of positive change, always looking for ways to improve not just the product, but the way we work together as a team.

I’ve learned a great deal from working alongside him and I would highly recommend James to any organisation looking for a design leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on execution.”

James Harris // Presales Director // AdvantageGo

“It’s rare that you come across standout talent like James. I worked with him for a considerable amount of time at a challenging client-side position, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with him, and came to know him as a truly valuable asset to absolutely any team. He is honest, dependable, and incredibly hard-working. Beyond that, he is an impressive designer/art director who can elevate any creative project. Along with his undeniable talent, James has always been fun to work with. He is a true team player and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best out of other people.”

Paul Nunn // Senior designer // Kantar

“James is a keen, talented designer with excellent design skills and a desire to learn and improve. I very much enjoyed working with him, and have kept in touch with him professionally and socially since.”

Matt Sanderman // Freelance Senior Designer

“I had the pleasure of first meeting James during my interview for AdvantageGo, and right from that initial conversation, I was deeply impressed by his in-depth knowledge of the product and his strong focus on user-centered experience.

After joining AdvantageGo, I had the opportunity to collaborate with James closely through daily conversations, brainstorming sessions, and strategic discussions. I quickly recognised him as an exceptional leader with a rare blend of UX expertise and marketing acumen. He has a deep understanding of both business objectives and user needs, which allows him to bridge gaps and deliver impactful solutions. James stands out through his clear vision, transparent communication style, and always-accessible nature. He possesses a strategic mindset rooted in user-centered thinking, yet he also knows how to position a product in a way that genuinely connects with the market. Beyond being a strong design leader, he is also a compelling storyteller who brings ideas to life with clarity and impact.

If you are looking for a UX and Marketing leader who truly understands how to craft experiences that connect, convert, and inspire, James is the one you want by your side.”

Chandon Pandey // Head of UX (offshore) // AdvantageGo

“As the head of UX and design, James has been pivotal, professional, and diligent in the design and implementation of an industry-leading user experience at AdvantageGo. James' attention to detail, experience, and forward thinking mindset have been fundamental in shaping award-winning product offerings.

James is a natural leader, a collaborator who has interlocked with many cross-functional teams, has managed to lead strategically, navigate politically, and mentor effectively. James has introduced excellence, process, protocol, and innovation in equal measure. James is a professional, diligent, organised, UX leader.”

John Bowers // Chief Product Officer // AdvantageGo

“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with James for almost two years now, and it’s been a genuinely great experience. He’s clear in his thinking, brings a solid design sense to the table, and always has a creative edge to how he approaches problems.

We’ve worked together on a few key projects-like building our design system and aligning our products with the brand guidelines, and his ability to plan and guide the team really stood out. He’s also someone who stays on top of the latest trends and encourages everyone around him to think differently and push boundaries.

What I appreciate most is how supportive and open he is. It makes collaborating with him really easy. I’ve learned a lot working with James, and I’m glad to have him as a design leader and teammate.”

Aman Joshi // Product Designer // AdvantageGo

“James is an outstanding designer. I worked closely with him for a number of years across a whole range of tasks. The quality of our marketing collateral was always absolutely first class, and that was due to James’ very considerable talent. Here are just some of the reasons he would be a huge asset to any business.

He has brilliant craft skills and an excellent eye. All of his work is polished and precise. He is very fast. He can get through a huge amount of volume and deliver to all to a very high standard at a very high speed. He works closely to a brief, takes feedback really well and always responds with something better. He’s very good under pressure. He never lets tight deadlines or long days get to him. He’s a great bloke and a top teammate.”

Ben Fennell // Chief Executive Officer // BBH London // 2006 - 2018

“James is a top-talented designer, experienced manager within a marketing team and a kind mentor. I've seen him coach more junior staff with kindness and generosity of spirit. His design work is consistently first class, and he has the right skill set to hit the ground running and deliver. Highly recommended all-around good human.”

David Benyon // Editor of Global Reinsurance, Freelance Journalist, MA, VR

“James is a star. His creative vision, energy, drive and determination ensure anything that he and his team produce is always to the highest standard. He is the brains behind the AdvantageGo brand… full of ideas, always planning ahead on how to improve and move the brand to the next level. I can provide him with the vaguest of briefs for a new piece of creative or content, and he immediately knows what needs to be done and how to visualise my half-baked idea.

I’ve watched as he’s worked and nurtured his team to get the best possible results from them: providing encouragement, direction and creative input as needed. His breadth of knowledge and experience gained from agency and in-house roles is to be admired. He would be an asset to any company.”

Roisin Tims // Head of Marketing // AdvantageGo

“I had the pleasure of working under James Byford during his time as Head of Design at AdvantageGo, where I was employed as a Senior Designer on his team. James was an outstanding manager and mentor, and I consistently found his leadership style to be both inspiring and supportive. James combines strong creative vision with clear strategic direction, enabling our team to deliver innovative design solutions that not only met creative standards but also aligned seamlessly with business objectives. He cultivated a collaborative and motivating team culture, where ideas were valued and professional growth was encouraged. His ability to provide clear guidance while allowing creative freedom was instrumental in helping me and my colleagues thrive in our roles.

Beyond his professional expertise, James is approachable, empathetic, and highly dependable. He led with integrity and was genuinely invested in the success and well-being of his team. Working with him at AdvantageGo was both enjoyable and rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have developed under his leadership. I would not hesitate to recommend James for any design leadership role. Any organisation would be fortunate to benefit from his experience, creativity, and people-focused approach to leadership.”

Matilda Carver // Senior Designer // AdvantageGo

“I worked with James for all his time with us at BBH. He was a key member of our New Business Team and a highly talented and hard-working designer who never failed to deliver, whatever task he was given. I’d highly recommend James.”

Jon Peppiatt // Chairman // BBH London

“I had the pleasure of working with James, and he is an exceptional creative leader. He combines design excellence with a strong focus on user needs and business goals. His ability to guide teams and deliver impactful solutions makes him a true asset to any organisation.

What I particularly value is his ability to simplify complex challenges and bring clarity to projects. He has outstanding managerial skills and is highly effective at leading large-scale projects, ensuring they are executed seamlessly while keeping teams motivated and aligned. His vast experience, professionalism, and creative vision make working with him both inspiring and rewarding.”

Ashish Katdare // Senior Product Designer // AdvantageGo

“I was lucky enough to work with James for many years at BBH London. He has superb visual design direction skills and is strong technically. He's super talented and can work quickly. Always enthusiastic, easy to work with, ambitious and brings good vibes to any project he's involved with. James is a strong graphic designer who also has great new business flair and vision. He can easily pull together, articulate, present and pitch ideas.”

Oli Cole // Creative Director // Founder - made by blah™

“I had the pleasure of working with James, who led our design team with both creativity and clarity. James has an exceptional eye for detail. As a team lead, he fostered a collaborative environment where creativity could thrive. His feedback was always constructive, helping the team deliver high-quality work.”

Piyush Vaish // Interaction Designer // AdvantageGo

“James is a brilliant designer who always delivers above and beyond the brief at hand.”

Alex Light // Senior Account Manager // Leo Burnett London

“James is a brilliant designer who takes great pride in his work. He has exacting standards, and nothing leaves his care without looking 100%.  James knew our brand inside out and could often second-guess a brief before we'd even given it to him! I always felt reassured when James was working on a project, as I knew that the result would be amazing, however challenging the brief or the time frame. Design skills aside, James is a really good guy. He's caring, supportive, and I would recommend him without hesitation.”

Isobel (Barnes) Thomas // Head of External Communications // Publicis Groupe

“James has been a stalwart of the BBH new business team for some time, and was integral to ensuring that our outward-facing pitch presentations, RFIs, RFPs and all sorts of other client-facing documentation looked as good as we needed. A solid designer, with a real talent for making the complex look clean and simple.”

Richard Atkins // Head of Digital Production // BBH London

“James is one of those people you want on your team because, simply, he makes you and everything you do look better. Literally. A rare breed, James applies a craft to presentations and pitches like no other. He's got a passion for design, and it's notable across everything he touches. He enables words to pop out without writing a single sentence, and the images that surround them to add a further 1,000. If you don't hire him now, you may well just have to wait another 7 years, and so I suggest you move quickly.”

Tim Harvey // Chief Growth Officer // BBH Group

“The simple fact is, James is a first-class designer. However, in addition to this, he has that rare ability to understand exactly what is needed for a project and to deliver top-quality work at a super-fast pace. I've worked with James for many years in a highly pressurised ad agency environment, and he has never failed to produce exceptional work under often challenging circumstances. He was also the most dedicated and supportive colleague you could hope to work with. Highly recommended.”

Richard Helyar // Founder, Goldstone // Head of Insight // Electric Glue

“I have had the pleasure of working with James for several years. He is a very creative individual, organised, and he has a great eye for detail. He likes to take on creative challenges and has the personality to lead and be led. His knowledge of apps and working experiences means he can bring a lot to the creative table.”

Andrew Blackburn // Creative Lead // KPMG

“I worked with James over 4 years at BBH. He handled multiple high profile design briefs for a slew of high profile blue chip clients on a daily basis. James's work was often the first thing prospective clients saw when we started pitch meetings. It could not be more important. He always delivered, often having to work late to ensure that happened and that was because James cared deeply about the work. A great design lead, and thank you for being a great pair of creative hands James.”

Nic Manser // Scaling Enterprise Video Capabilities

“Working with James during a key growth phase at Advantage Go was a real highlight. As Head of Design, he brought a brilliant mix of creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership that made a big impact.

He led a full brand refresh that helped us stand out in a crowded insurtech space, boosting visibility and giving us a much stronger digital presence.

James also has a real knack for simplifying complex journeys. He turned clunky insurance flows into clean, intuitive interfaces that users actually enjoyed—and the results showed.

What stood out most was how he brought everything together. By building a unified design system and working closely with product, engineering, and marketing, he created a seamless, consistent experience across the board.

James is collaborative, thoughtful, and always focused on what matters most to users. Any insuretech would be lucky to have him leading design.”

Olly Venables // Strategic Solutions Director // Insurity