Honorary AssociateEcoAgriculture Partners
Jim is a specialist in inclusive business, food value chains, global food systems, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. He has over 25 years international experience working on sustainable development in the fields of market systems, agriculture, rural development and natural resource management.
Jim has Honorary Associate roles with Oxford University and the Institute of Development Studies and also operates as an independent consultant. His current work is on inclusive agribusiness and the nexus between food systems and the global challenges of poverty, health and environment. He also directs the Knowledge for Development Programme of the UK Department for International Development (DFID). He was formerly the Head of Profession for Food Security and Rural Development with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Director of the Centre for Development Innovation at Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands.
Jim’s inspiration comes from working with people and organisations to create pathways towards sustainability and social justice through innovative partnerships between business, government, civil society and research. He is a highly experienced facilitator and brings a deep understanding of systems thinking, value chain management, organizational change and participatory approaches to innovation.
Jim has a PhD in political economics and a degree in agricultural science. His publications include: Chain Wide Learning for Inclusive Agrifood Market Development; From Islands of Success to Seas of Change – a report on scaling inclusive agri-food markets; The MSP Guide – How to Design and Facilitate Multi-stakeholder Partnerships; and Inclusive Agribusiness – The State of Play. Earlier in his career he worked as an Outward Bound instructor and loves outdoor adventuring with his children.