James Thacker
Bishop's Stortford,UK
Summary
A motivated and empathetic leader with strong experience in coaching, mentoring, and developing others to reach their full potential. Skilled in building positive relationships, fostering inclusive learning environments, and encouraging personal growth through collaboration and open communication. My background in professional mentoring, leadership, and sports coaching has equipped me with the ability to inspire, engage, and support learners of all abilities. Passionate about promoting wellbeing, resilience, and teamwork, I am committed to making a positive impact in the classroom.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Customer Success Manager
Darktrace
2025.01 - 2025.09
- Delivered clear, engaging presentations to varied audiences, developing strong skills in simplifying complex concepts — directly transferable to explaining challenging material in the classroom.
- Adapted communication style to suit different stakeholders, from technical specialists to senior leaders, demonstrating the ability to connect with and engage diverse learners.
- Collaborated across departments to achieve shared goals, reflecting teamwork and interpersonal skills essential for working with colleagues and supporting whole-school initiatives.
- Managed multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, evidencing strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Built positive relationships through empathy, patience, and effective communication, creating an inclusive environment that supports understanding and engagement.
Defence and Forwards Coach
Hertford Rugby Football Club
2023.06 - 2025.09
- Designed and delivered structured training sessions, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and resilience.
- Took on Head Coach responsibilities, leading team strategy, match preparation, and performance review.
- Provided one-to-one mentoring, balancing discipline with encouragement to build confidence and resilience.
Mentor
Self-initiated Programme
2018.01 - 2025.09
- Supported five individuals in career development, goal-setting, time management, and communication.
- All mentees achieved their objectives through personalised coaching and tailored learning methods.
Senior Client Partner
Unity (Parsec)
2022.04 - 2024.11
- Trained and coached new team members on communication and client engagement.
- Led team meetings and facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions to achieve objectives.
- Wellbeing advocate, supporting colleagues’ mental health through workshops and Q&A sessions.
Partner Business Manager
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
2018.08 - 2022.04
- Mentored early-career professionals through weekly sessions, focusing on personal and professional growth.
- Delivered workshops to develop teamwork, decision-making, and communication.
- Led collaborative projects, strengthening leadership and facilitation skills.
Education
Executive Leadership Programme -
Oxford Saïd Business School
BSc - Business Economics and Finance
Loughborough University
2014.09 - 2018.06
A levels - Business Studies (A), Economics (B), History (B)
Harrow School
2012.09 - 2014.07
Skills
- Session planning & delivery
- Mentoring & coaching
- Group management
- Empathetic communication
- Motivating learners of all abilities
- Teamwork & collaboration
- Wellbeing & pastoral care
References
Available on request.
Websites
Interests
Wellbeing Advocate (Unity): Supported mental and physical wellbeing initiatives. Charity Work: Active with Incourage (men’s mental health), Movember fundraising, Prince’s Trust cycle event. Rugby Career: Former England U16 international and Saracens U18 captain, demonstrating leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
Timeline
Customer Success Manager
Darktrace
2025.01 - 2025.09
Defence and Forwards Coach
Hertford Rugby Football Club
2023.06 - 2025.09
Senior Client Partner
Unity (Parsec)
2022.04 - 2024.11
Partner Business Manager
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
2018.08 - 2022.04
Mentor
Self-initiated Programme
2018.01 - 2025.09
BSc - Business Economics and Finance
Loughborough University
2014.09 - 2018.06
A levels - Business Studies (A), Economics (B), History (B)
Harrow School
2012.09 - 2014.07
Executive Leadership Programme -
Oxford Saïd Business School