James has been Managing Director of Renewables East, a private independent not-for-profit company, since May 2004. Since June 2010 this has been in a part time capacity alongside his government advisor role. Under his leadership Renewables East, the regional renewable agency for the East of England has delivered a series of high profile public funded projects.

In 2008 Renewables East won the prestigious industry award from the REA as the best public funded endeavour. Successes include enabling JDR Cables to win the single biggest supply chain order for renewables, £18m cables foe the Greater Gabbard Project. In Feb 2011 James purchased £1m of air source heat pumps to install in fuel poverty properties across the region.