I'm James. I bring 20+ years of Marketing, Growth & Leadership experience gained from leading a series of successfully scaled tech brands. Whether as a CMO or within the framework of our Growth & Innovation agency Here on Up, I can help your business with their GTM
Meet James
A multi-decade experienced Full Stack CMO, James leverages his extensive background to help manage, lead, grow, advise, mentor, invest in & nurture purpose-driven start-ups and scale-up businesses, supporting founders and teams along the way.
Major benefits to working with James
Full Stack Expertise
AI powered & fully competent across the spectrum of marketing and growth functions, offering comprehensive strategic and executional support for both B2C and B2B businesses.
Connecting at the Core
I love bringing people together, connecting clients with valuable resources and opportunities across industries. It's one of the joys of what I do and something I facilitate daily.
Community Driven
My focus is on building from the inside outwards, fostering strong internal cultures and customer relationships. I have also co-founded and manage two leading digital communities in the marketing space.
A Selection of Brands I've Had the Pleasure of Growing
James has driven growth for some of the most recognisable and innovative tech brands in the UK and beyond.
TaskRabbit
Match.com
WhoSampled
Tutorful
TrustedHousesitters
Seatwave
Some of My Areas of Expertise
"Deep & Dirty" Digital Marketing
From high-level strategy to detailed channel audits & execution.
Strategy with Soul
Getting involved in your plans and strategy and helping shape them for faster growth.
B2B Events
I hosted over 50 events in 2025, prompting connection and lead gen for partners with very high attendance.
Community Building
Helping mobilise your ICP into a galvanised community that supports your brand.
Messaging & Positioning
Helping you cut through the AI slop with meaningful messaging that lands with your ICP.
Research & Measurements
Speaking to customers, competitors, staff and ICP, getting to the heart of where you want to go and helping to set the North star.
Models, Tools and Structure
Critiquing process, tools and set up as well as driving implementation to help cut costs and increase efficiency.
Providing Leadership to Teams
Bringing in leadership and guidance to teams as well as advising and mentoring individual contributors.
Some Case Studies
300% Growth
TaskRabbit — A Business Defining Partnership
- Built a community of 1,500 active Taskers internationally
- Launched & scaled the TaskRabbit+IKEA partnership across 5 UK stores, leading to acquisition by IKEA in 2017
- Led growth, customer acquisition & retention, community, marketing, PR & customer services internationally
Double Digit Quarterly Revenue Growth
TrustedHousesitters — Following 5 Negative Quarters
- Value prop research & realignment with target user personas — repositioned strategy from bonus & discount driven to sustainable, owner-driven growth
- Channel shift into influencer and content marketing with an in-house content squad
- Management and launch of the business's first TV campaign
43% YoY Growth
Re:vived — E-Commerce
- Drove over £665K in revenue, up 43% year-on-year
- Full management of Google Shopping ads, with increases in ad groups, campaigns and output
- Impression share in category growing from less than 1% to over 15%
Advisory and Mentorship
Engagement Model
A discreet, high-touch advisory relationship for leaders who want speed, perspective & seasoned input, without needing long-term retainers.
Commitment
Minimum of 4 sessions. Flexible scheduling options. Ability to communicate between scheduled calls.
Pricing
£100 per hour + VAT. Discounts available for block bookings. Can work on project-based assignments or longer term.
Helping Founders, Agency Leaders & Entrepreneurs
What I Help With
- Positioning, ICP & messaging clarity
- Founder & agency leadership decision support
- GTM structure and commercial focus
- Personal brand & network acceleration
- Strategic sounding board for high-stakes choices
How It Works
- 1-hour Zoom sessions (in person where possible)
- Fortnightly or monthly cadence
- Clear problem definition → structured steps → agreed actions
- Between-session WhatsApp access for rapid guidance
Some quotes from Mentees
James is ranked in the top % of mentors on Growth Mentor (4.94/5 stars) and MentorCruise (5 stars),
"James has added tremendous value, both personally and to the business I lead, helping me think differently about solving problems. Very approachable and relatable. Would recommend."
"He has a huge amount of experience as a fractional CMO, offering unique perspectives that only such a background could bring."
"He offers a wide perspective and thinks strategically, not just tactically. I received important affirmations for my marketing experiments."
Co-founder of the CMO Circle — The Community for Senior Marketing Leaders
The CMO Circle is a thriving, purpose-built community connecting the UK's most senior marketing minds — driving conversation, collaboration, and commercial opportunity.
Senior Marketing Leaders
Annual Events
Community Messages Per Year
Commercial Partnerships
Event Management
I bring a multi-decade background in event management to help build events of any size, for any ICP. Working with partners, sponsors and event organisers, I have an excellent record of not only getting people to events but also driving positive leads and interaction for partners and sponsors.
Event Expertise
Multi-decade background delivering events of any size, tailored to any ICP.
Partner Success
Proven track record driving attendance, engagement, and positive leads for partners and sponsors.
Full Service
End-to-end support from concept to execution, including social proofing and content creation.
Some Quotes & Testimonials
"James is a hugely valuable sounding board, part strategist, part coach. His support shaped both my personal development and how I lead growth." Charlie Cooke, Head of Growth, Spacegoods
"James was instrumental in Add3's UK expansion, leading successful marketing and networking events, securing key speaking opportunities, and converting visibility into tangible new business and long-term client growth." Paul Uhlir, CEO, Add3
"He built a great growth team and was a strong advocate for our users in the management team. James helped create our culture ,transparency, fun loving, helping our users and helping each other." Shane Clifford, CEO Wonderbill (Part of Shell Energy)
"I was searching for someone who could mentor me and act as a sounding board as we navigate all the challenges and opportunities that come with scaling a business. James has added tremendous value, both personally and to the business I lead and made me think differently about solving problems. He has also put me in contact with some of his network which has really added value. Very approachable and relatable. Would recommend." Mathew Anderson, Ops Director, Access Fertility
Get to Know James
Beyond the boardroom and the brand strategy, James is a man of many passions — all of which inform the energy, empathy, and authenticity he brings to every engagement.
Family Man
Husband and father to a homeschooled family of six
Gardener
An aspiring food grower and animal rearer, with a passion for sustainable living.
Fitness 1st
Always keen for physical exercise whenever available
Music is my sanctuary
A former DJ and event promoter, still in love with music (now as an investor) and its power to connect people.
Faith-Driven
Passionate about bringing spirituality into the business world where possible.
Let's Have a Chat!
Book time directly or connect with James across his social channels.
James Hamlin: CMO, Mentor, Advisor & Builder