Jim is an entrepreneur with an interest in tackling the big challenges of our time. His career began with 5 years investment banking in New York and Asia, before he returned to the UK to set up a business designing delivery motorbikes. Then CEO of the YOI group, on the board of YO! Sushi and overseeing the developed YOTEL, now an international hotel group. His last 10 years have been working with early stage businesses that tackle social and environmental issues. Today, he’s the CEO of BetterSpace, a start-up looking to turn the tide on the mental health crisis.

BetterSpace’s mission is to make prevention attractive and easy. Most people today only become aware of their mental health when they have a problem, when it can be distressing and expensive. And as modern life undermines our sleep, social connections and sense of community, growing numbers are seeking treatment. The optimist will point to the profusion of new solutions, from social activities such as Parkrun to digital apps such as Headspace, which hint at how we can tackle the problem.

BetterSpace is building an intelligent marketplace that personalise mental health solutions around each individual. We call it the Airbnb for the mind. We’re initially focused on the corporate wellbeing market, with a pilot starting with a major law firm in October. By the end of 2019 we aim to launch a B2C version, a free to use platform with plenty of free activities. We’re interested in meeting amazing UI and UX designers, behaviour economics experts and specialist health investors.