Forty years ago, when Celebration of Discipline was just hot off the press, James Catford was studying economics and theology in Britain. Spiritual formation soon became part of his student ministry with the equivalent of InterVarsity and he transitioned into a career in publishing through IVP UK. He was originally introduced to Richard Foster and Dallas Willard when he was publishing director at HodderHeadline in London.

At HarperCollins James published Streams of Living Water and The Divine Conspiracy as well as C.S. Lewis and a list of high profile trade books. These years severely tested his “with-God life” and he started attending the Renovaré Ministry Team in 1996. Renovaré’s six streams helped shape his fourteen years leading Bible Society (BFBS) and Richard Foster asked him to chair Renovaré Britain & Ireland, which he did until 2018. As of 2020, he is the board chair of Renovaré USA.

Formerly chair of the Apprentice Institute at Friends University and vice-chair of the Amity Printing Company in China (the largest producer of Bibles in the world), James now serves on the board of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He also supports Christians in leadership around the world with American Bible Society and is chair of the third oldest publisher in the UK called SPCK.

James is married to Sue who runs a theater in central London.