James Underhay

Managing Consultant

All the good things

Leading not managing; Clarity of thinking, and simplifying complex and wicked problems; Engaging with all stakeholders – however challenging or difficult this might be.

And the bad things

Newcastle United FC; Guinness.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I love travelling – and despite years of doing it for a living, still yearn to see new places and meet new people. When not away, I love walking and climbing in the most beautiful parts of the UK and discovering new and more beautiful places.

Additionally I like music, theatre, film and sport, and like a number of my 4OC colleagues – I can occasionally be found in a bar, usually with a pint of Guinness!

A bit about me

Curious by nature, I have always been fascinated by how and why things work. Coupled with a passion for aviation and flying, I started my career working for a major international airline, working within the engineering and maintenance division. I never really considered this as a job, more like an extended period playing in the most wonderous toyshop you could imagine.

In later years, I have held a number of senior roles in both public, private and Third Sector organisations, culminating with significant Board level experience. Wherever I have worked, the key focus of my career has been centred around driving large scale strategic change, organisational transformation and delivering long term commercial and organisational sustainability.

The thing I love about 4OC – is that they share and understand this wisdom and approach all client engagements with this as a key principle.