James Devine

Senior Client Partner, Healthcare

James is a Senior Client Partner, working with our healthcare clients to transform the way healthcare services are delivered.

James is passionate about healthcare, and the core value of providing care at the point of need. Equally important, is about designing healthcare fit for the future, and doing this in a way that drives value for money.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, James worked at a big four consultancy as their UK lead for healthcare workforce. Within 3 years, James grew their workforce practice to be market leading; being rated as ‘diamond’ (the highest possible rating) in the 2023 top consultancies for HR transformation. He brings experience of healthcare transformation across workforce, financial recovery, digital and patient pathway redesign.

James brings a unique perspective to our healthcare offer. He spent 25 years working in the NHS, during which time he worked at Board level as a Chief Executive during the Covid-19 pandemic, Chief People Officer and Deputy CEO. He was also the joint Senior Responsible Officer for the Integrated Care Partnership across health, care and local authority.

James is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and holds a MSc in Professional Practice (HR). James has a keen interest in psychology and completed the psychology in context programme with Cambridge University. He also completed the executive leadership programme at Oxford University.

In 2019, James was awarded the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) HR Director of the year, and in 2024, James was announced as the number one most influential HR Practitioner in the UK, by HR Magazine.