Jim grew up in the Longford area and attended Windmill Road Infants and Junior schools before moving on to Foxford Comprehensive School. After leaving school in 1965 he began a five

year apprenticeship with Webster & Bennett Ltd in Northey Road, Foleshill as a machine tool setter/operator ( a job he’s still doing today).  He left Webster & Bennett Ltd in 1977 and after a couple of years experiencing the sub-contract world of engineering, he and fellow

apprentice Philip Whitehouse set up Philip James Precision Engineers which is still going under the same leadership today.

He became a Freeman immediately after he completed his apprenticeship in 1970 but it was not until he was encouraged by his cousin Past Master and Clerk of the Guild Court – George Wilkinson that he joined the Freemen’s Guild.   He has been an active Court member  ever since; his first role being that of the Guild Searcher.

Jim has been married to Louise for 37 years and they have two sons James and David and a daughter Nicola.  They are proud grandparents to six grandchildren.

Outside the Guild, Jim’s interests and hobbies have always had an outdoor theme including golf, show jumping (first with daughter Nicola and now with his granddaughters).

 He is still a keen hill walker when time permits and is a regular participant in the annual sponsored walk (one of the guild fundraising activities).

Jim and Louise are both looking forward to their year in office and to seeing you at the various Guild functions during the coming year.