James Bennet, MBE

50th Corporate Advisor, The Kings Trust, a former EY Partner, Serial entrepreneur, a squiggly career !

London, England, United Kingdom

About

Set up first business in music importing in school days: became Orbis Records, grew to be one of the UK's largest record importers. Post MBA Marketing Director for Goodman Graham / Norman Broadbent, headed marketing for the EMC at Price Waterhouse. Set up the European Technology Forum in 1997, sold to CNET Networks in 2003 and joined EY in 2005 Awarded the MBE in 2013 Birthday Honours List for services to young people, he found TMT Ski Network in 2001.

Experience

  • The King's Trust (24 yrs 4 mos)
    • 50th Anniversary Corporate Advisor
      Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

      Working with the Kings Trust as an ambassador for the 50th anniversary

    • Fundraising Advisory Board & Corporate Advisory Group
      Jun 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 1 mo

      A member of the Fundraising Advisory Board which oversees all fundraising activities across the Princes Trust. A member of the Corporate Advisory Group which oversees the corporate leadership groups for the Princes Trust

    • Committee Member & Former Chair
      Mar 2002 - Present · 24 yrs 4 mos

      An early member of Princes Trust Technology Leadership Group and Chairman to March 2005 - 2007. TLG has raised over £22m for Trust. I also am committee Member of the Internet & Media Leadership Group

  • Partner at ScaleUp Group
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    ScaleUp Group has been formed to help spearhead the growth of companies in the Technology sector with the potential to be 'Global Champions' by providing them the 5 Pillars of 'Active Support' being Management Development; Talent Finding; Sales Expansion especially Overseas ; Financial Management and Funding - leveraging its Board of Advisors and 'Active Supporters' who are all successful technology entrepreneurs themselves

  • Founder & Board member at The Snowball - The TMT skiing network
    Feb 2001 - Present · 25 yrs 5 mos

    The Snowball format is simple. During the day we ski in groups defined by ability and gather for lunches on the slopes. In the evening, Snowball convenes for drinks, debates and dinners. With some of the movers and shakers in TMT.

  • EY (20 yrs 2 mos)
    • Partner
      Jul 2023 - Jul 2025 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Associate Partner
      Jul 2019 - Jul 2023 · 4 yrs 1 mo

      Associate Partner, responsible for global relationships with 3 priority clients. Experienced managing complex international client needs. Particular experience in technology, private equity & financial services. Delivering exceptional client service across the breadth of EY.

    • Business Development Leader , Industries
      Jul 2017 - Jun 2019 · 2 yrs

      Part of the business development leadership team UKI & responsible for business development leaders across all industry teams excluding financial services.

  • Advisor at CognitionX
    Jul 2016 - Mar 2025 · 8 yrs 9 mos

    CognitionX is fuelling the ecosystem of AI, Machine Learning and Data Science. It brings together the world leading data experts, software developers, platform vendors, researchers, hardware providers and businesses looking to apply data-driven techniques to their organisation. I am advising the board on growth, strategy and scaling of the business.