entrepreneur, mentor, author and philanthropist.

Born in Livingstone, Zambia in 1943 and educated in Cape Town, South Africa, before being transferred to London in 1977.

Spent over 50 years in business, starting in the grocery trade before moving into the liquor industry and, in latter years, becoming a Consultant, Mentor and a Non-Executive Director of a variety of companies.

A large part of my career has been working internationally, building and creating brands and also identifying and employing people who have gone onto Make Your Mark.

Together with my partner and friend, Tom Jago, launched Le Piat D'Or, Malibu, The Classic Malts, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Chivas Regal 18 amongst others. Responsible for the growth of Baileys in its early years, a brand invented by Tom - which failed in research and he thus hid the research - this would certainly not happen today, "research is after all, an aid to judgement, not a substitute for judgement".

about
James Espey

Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

I have spent the last 50 years in business building Brands and People and now in my semi-retirement, I focus on a few specific areas: entrepreneurial activities, mentoring, writing and philanthropy.

James Espey - Entrepreneur

James Espey - Entrepreneur

James Espey - Philanthropist

James Espey - Philanthropist

Author

Author of, June 2022, new release 365 Quotes to Accelerate Your Career & Find Life Balance, and previous best seller, Make Your Mark.