James Butler

I am an experienced Human Resources Manager with a passion for developing inclusive, high-performing teams. With over a decade of experience across HR, education, and leadership, I have successfully led strategic initiatives that align talent development with business goals. At Bright Horizons, I manage learning and development for over 8,000 employees, focusing on driving performance through continuous improvement and a strong DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) framework. I excel in leveraging data and innovative programme design to enhance employee engagement, retention, and leadership capabilities.

My career journey includes impactful roles as a Regional Manager and Curriculum Lead, where I contributed to the growth of multiple sites and improved regulatory compliance in early childhood education. I have also been actively involved in mentoring and coaching professionals, leading them to exceed key performance indicators and achieve recognition such as Outstanding Ofsted ratings.

I am currently working towards my CIPD qualification and hold certifications in various leadership and HR-related assessments, including the High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI) and Personal Profile Analysis (PPA). My voluntary work as Chair of Governors reflects my commitment to education and community development.

Driven by a dedication to excellence and continuous improvement, I am always seeking new opportunities to contribute to meaningful organisational change, talent management, and people development.

EXPERIENCE

Bright Horizons, UK and ROW — Human Resources 

June  2021 - PRESENT

Talent and Development Lead (Feb 2024 – Present)

• Lead the learning and development strategy for an 8,000+ workforce, aligning training with business goals.
• Design and implement leadership, onboarding, and skills-based training programs.
• Evaluate program impact using data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement.

Human Resources Specialist (Suitability) (Oct 2024 – Present)

• Provide HR advisory support, focusing on employee relations, policy compliance, and talent management.
• Support recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Ensure HR processes align with employment law and best practices.

Professional Development Lead (Jun 2021 – Mar 2024)

• Led leadership and management training, launching the High-Performance Hub.
• Developed and delivered employee training programs across various learning formats.
• Spearheaded induction and onboarding enhancements to improve new hire engagement.

Hampshire County Council and The Gregg Schools Trust, Southampton — Class Teacher and School Leader

September  2012 - May 2021

• Delivered high-quality teaching, leading to an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
• Managed curriculum and staff development, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Led departments, achieving Excellent inspection results and exceeding key KPIs in student enrollment.
• Mentored and coached educators, promoting consistent high standards..

Ducklings Day Nurseries Ltd, UK  — Regional Director and Curriculum Lead

October 2006 - MONTH 2012

• Managed multiple nursery locations, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Led teams in establishing new nurseries, including recruitment, training, and staff development.
• Designed and implemented the curriculum across sites, enhancing educational outcomes and driving business growth.

University of Winchester, Winchester,UK — Masters Degree

September 2014 - October 2018

Education, Early Childhood Education, Wellbeing and Leadership

University of Southampton, Southampton, UK — PGCE with QTS

September  2012 - August 2013

Initial Teacher Training Qualification

University of Winchester, Winchester,UK — BA (hons)

September 2009 - August 2012

English and Creative Writing