Director | Membership & Development
“Whether it's for non-profits, membership or education advancement, I am the search expert finding leaders who drive success.”
James Hunt is a senior executive search specialist with over two decades of experience connecting exceptional leaders with purpose-driven organisations. As Head of Not for Profit Appointments at Peridot Partners, he has led 300 specialist, senior and board-level searches across the UK's charity, membership and higher-education sectors.
His portfolio spans appointments for organisations as wide-ranging as the Chartered Insurance Institute, Stonewall, University of London, IOSH and Migrant Help. James is trusted for his insight, rigour and empathy when working with boards navigating complexity or transition.
Inclusive recruitment is central to his approach. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, neurodivergent and an immigrant who has made the UK home, James draws on lived experience to embed fairness and belonging into every search. He is a Trustee and sits on two Committees of a large charity, and is a member of Peridot's EDI, L&D and People Committees. He actively challenges assumptions, opens space for underrepresented voices and builds transparent, psychologically safe recruitment journeys.
James believes that great leadership is grounded in vulnerability, creativity and empathy. These values shape his work with candidates and clients alike, helping to build long-term relationships and leadership teams that reflect the societies they serve.
Addiction, community development, criminal justice, disadvantaged, drug and alcohol, homelessness, human rights, intervention, LGBTQI+, mental health, prison reform, race equality, rehabilitation, restorative justice, think tanks, urban health, youth offending
Campaigns, commercial/business development, communications, education, equality/diversity/inclusion, events, finance, HR, IT, marketing, operations, partnerships, professional development, project management
Alumni relations, corporate partnerships, data and insight, development, donor relations, events, gift accounting, global development, legacy giving, major gifts, marketing, principal gifts, prospect research, regular giving, supporter engagement, trusts and foundations