From global crises to local resilience: James shares his resilience journey and the need for Risk Ready Communities...
He explains how his career has taken him from global crises to local resilience – and the key ingredients we all need to make sure our communities are ‘risk ready’.
You're a Resilience Officer. Tell us what that means...
My role is about making sure our communities are prepared for emergencies; that covers everything from severe weather and flooding to major incidents and disruptions caused by events like power cuts and health emergencies.
I help maintain and review emergency plans, support training and exercises, and work closely with partners to strengthen how we respond as a collective.
What skills and qualities do you need?
Effective resilience calls for strong communication, organisation and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Teamwork is essential - we work closely with colleagues across councils, the emergency services and local communities.
Analytical skills also play a big part, whether that’s reviewing lessons from incidents, interpreting guidance or shaping emergency plans.
But the most important ingredient in resilience is trust. Trust makes all the difference, especially during fast-moving situations.
Have you always worked in resilience?
In a way, yes. I started work at a charity as an Insolvency Adviser before moving into the humanitarian sector with Tearfund, where I spent several years supporting responses to global crises, including time in Iraq. This ranged from analysing early warning signs of potential crises through to leading elements of emergency response funding, training teams and supporting projects overseas with local partners.
What are your priorities for communities in the coming months?
I’m working with partners across the Local Resilience Forum to help communities strengthen their resilience through our new Risk Ready Communities programme.
By signing up, communities will get access to free webinars, workshops and in-person events, as well as support to develop their own Community Response Plans.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I really enjoy the variety — no two days are the same. I also value the collaborative nature of the work; resilience is genuinely a team effort across local authorities and partners.
What one piece of advice would you give to people to boost their resilience?
Resilient people don’t just rely only on inner strength; they invest in communities they can lean on when it matters. The new Risk Ready Communities programme provides practical steps to make you and your communities more resilient together.
What is your proudest personal achievement?
While I’ve enjoyed completing challenges such as Three Peaks and had really rewarding experiences, I’m proud of being someone people can rely on during difficult times.
(Image shows James on holiday in Austria.)