Following a sixteen year career in several boarding schools and being a housemaster for twelve of those years, James Shone was appointed as headmaster to Monkton Prep School in 2012.
During his medical assessment a brain tumour was discovered. Over the coming months James underwent two massive operations spending 11 weeks in hospital; the operations saved his life but took most of his sight. Further to this, James had to relinquish a dream job, undergo radiotherapy and then set off into a new future without employment or buoyant health.
James is a man who embodies a positive attitude to life and a determination to turn setbacks into springboards. As a housemaster, this was at the heart of his pastoral message but it is now fundamentally important that he lives this message out everyday himself as well as sharing it with a wider audience.
James is married to Olivia, has four children and a dog called Alfred . He is also a Governor at King's School, Bruton. His passions remain in golf, Liverpool football club, conversing, spending time at the Cornish coast and the good Lord.
James' career has been in the sports industry working for brands and rights holders including BskyB, Volvo Cars and the Volvo Ocean Race. Most recently he was Commercial Director at Harlequins Rugby Club and is now a Partner at Portas Consulting, a management consultancy he has returned to, and which works with senior leaders in sport on strategic, organisational, governance and commercial issues.
James read Theology at Durham University where he played a lot of cricket and was DUCC club captain. He has been Churchwarden of a central London Church and has served a term on one of the Marylebone Cricket Club committees.
His growing passion, borne out of his own journey, is to see individuals fulfil their potential by being true to the person God made them to be which is why he is wholly committed and excited by the prospect of supporting I Can And I Am. James is married to Caz and has four children between the ages of 7 and 13. He lives in Winchester.
In his professional life, Charlie has spent the last 20 years working as a consultant to the Financial Services industry. He started his career at Accenture before moving to Troika and then Navigant. In 2012 he left Navigant to found the PEN Partnership. At PEN Charlie is the partner with responsibility for Finance. As a consultant he works predominantly with investment managers and wealth managers. He specialises in the delivery of operational and organisational change.
Charlie is married to Bee. They live in Bath with their three sons. He is a keen runner and loves being outdoors!
Rebecca studied Natural Sciences at Durham University and since graduation has worked in marketing in several sectors including within education. She has also run her own successful business for the last 8 years.
"Working for I Can and I Am alongside James has been, without doubt, the most rewarding job I have ever done. To not only use all my business skills but to do it in a way that ultimately helps this remarkable cause is very fulfilling. It's also a lot of fun and there are exciting times ahead".
Rebecca lives in Bath with her husband Howard and their three children.