James Devine

James brings more than 20 years’ experience of working in the NHS. Over the past five years, James has been a regular speaker in the UK and internationally on leadership, improvement and employee engagement. He has a passion for leadership development, and the evidence-based link between an engaged and valued workforce and better patient outcomes. 

He started his career at Medway NHS Foundation Trust when he joined as an apprentice in 1996, working with the school health team. James then went on to work in some of the most significant NHS organisations in the UK, including South London Health Care, Barts Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, before returning to Medway in October 2016 to take on the role of Executive Director of HR and OD. In July 2017, hospital improvement was included within James’ portfolio, and he was announced as the Deputy Chief Executive in November 2017, formally taking on responsibility for the performance and operational management of the Trust. He then went on to become interim Chief Executive in November 2018.