An independent business advisory practice and expert network, founded and led by James Godfrey.
James is known to work like no other.
“James diagnoses the real problem in hours, not weeks.
Decades transforming complex businesses under pressure have built a pattern-recognition no methodology can replicate and it’s what sets up everything that follows. His read of a room is outstandingly accurate.”
COO, UK Leading Insurance Company, emergency cost out programme
His work in leading management consultancies and for global FS organisations, gives a dual perspective that’s exactly what has built his reputation for delivering transformation that actually works.
James is personally involved in every client programme, whether that means setting direction and steering the journey, leading transformation directly, or opening access to the Forbury network: a bench of subject matter experts unavailable through any other consulting channel.
With a career built on successfully delivering and advising ExCos and Boards on the kind of large scale organisational transformation few ever get right, he genuinely knows how to navigate complexity, read the nuance beneath the surface, and helps Boards see around corners.
Other consultancies simply execute a plan.
Forbury creates and delivers it.
Driving real change inside an organisation with programmes that deliver real results in the market.
Our Services
The Forbury mandate begins where ambition and vision meets complexity and delivery - the moment a Board/ExCo commits to a strategic direction and now needs that direction translated into a credible, sequenced, value-bearing change programmes.
Our reputation is founded on decades of experience and proven execution. Forbury Consulting specialises where most value is generated, providing expertise and pragmatic delivery.
The Network
As transformation grows more complex, the ability to call on the right expert at the right moment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s what separates programmes that scale fast and deliver results from those that stall.
Forbury can leverage it’s handpicked network of experts, brought in precisely when needed and where a client’s existing team lacks the capacity or specialist skills to move forward alone.
Testimonials
“I don’t know how you do this, but no one can do it like you.”
- Hugh Hessing
“Thank you for the very real
difference you are making.”
- Adam Winslow
“Working with James is a breath of fresh air.”
- Daryl Wilson
IN THEIR WORDS
Why clients work with Forbury Consulting
A reputation founded on decades of experience
and proven execution.
Forbury Consulting specialises where most value is generated, providing expertise and pragmatic delivery.
Enterprise Cost Optimisation & Restructuring
Realigned, future-looking cost structures and target operating models designed for the business it aspires to be.
Learn more →Mergers & Acquisitions
Integration architecture, synergy realisation, and an underlying combined operating model that holds the businesses together.
Learn more →M&A Due Diligence
Operational, technology and transformation diligence that pressure-tests the deal thesis before signing.
Learn more →Divestments
Carve-out design, separation roadmaps, and the disciplined sequencing required to protect value on both sides of the line.
Learn more →Digital Evolution
Strategy-led modernisation of platforms, data and customer experience, designed around the business case, not just the technology.
Learn more →AI Governance
AI governance and risk tools that scope AI usage across organisations, classify risks and provide transparency for management control.
Learn more →The Forbury approach
Three principles guide every engagement and interaction.
Single point accountability and expert only
No delegation, no inexperienced resources. James acts as your single point of accountability. He owns the thinking, the framing and the client relationship. There is no account team between you and the senior mind doing the work.
Problem-first, never product-first
Each engagement starts with a rigorous diagnosis of the problem the business is trying to solve, something James is known to complete in a matter of hours rather than weeks.
This is the product of decades spent transforming complex businesses in line with strategy and vision, frequently against aggressive timescales or in turnaround situations. That experience produces a pattern-recognition no methodology can replicate, and it's what sets up everything that follows in execution.
The approach is then shaped around that diagnosis, not the other way round.
This can mean a single laser-focused workshop, ad-hoc call-down advice to keep programmes on course, a six-week diagnostic, a twelve-month integration mandate, a fortnightly board advisory cadence or another format entirely.
The flexibility is a function of expertise, not a lack of structure: James has seen enough of these situations to know which approach fits, rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all methodology because it's “easier”.
Built to scale through a trusted network
When delivery muscle is needed, Forbury Consulting can convene specialist teams from a curated network of senior experts - transformation directors, integration leads, data architects, technology programme leaders and expert providers.
You get bench depth without the overheads, politics nor partner margin model of a tier-one firm.
How to Engage with Forbury
When the answer matters more than the slide deck.
Speak to James about your change and transformation agenda.
Speak to JamesCLIENTS I’VE WORKED WITH
“It’s [cost optimisation programme] in great shape James – really good,
and so much opportunity to be realised in the future.
Thank you for everything you’ve done to achieve that!”
— Jane Poole, CFO, Direct Line Group, 2025