James Lea

James returned to London in 2024 after setting up Society’s Asia Pacific operation, before this he was its first Regional Director North America for two years, opening the New York office and leading the global Hospitality & Leisure Practice previously for eight years. Formerly he worked in executive search and recruitment for the PSD Group, Hostec and Hudson Global Resources.  

As Head of Hospitality and Leisure & Managing Director Asia Pacific and the Americas, James has responsibility for developing Society’s global Hospitality and Leisure market segment, whilst having oversight of our Asia Pacific and North American operations. He has lead leadership appointments for clients ranging from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to Archer Capital and Kinsfolk & Co to The Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong.  

James believes in tailoring recruitment solutions to meet the needs of his clients that bring global diverse candidates to the table, and he is passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

James attended Stonyhurst College and later studied for a Hospitality HND at Thames Valley University (now the University of West London). He has lived and worked in Sydney, New York, Auckland and now London and has a truly global perspective.