
About Phill James
With 30 years of diverse experience in IT and digital transformation, Phill brings deep technical and strategic expertise to Apira’s consultancy team. His career spans both the private and public sectors, with over two decades in IT engineering roles across manufacturing, systems integration, and support services.
A seasoned leader in transformational change, Phill specialises in aligning complex technical architectures with business objectives, particularly in high-availability and mission-critical environments. He has extensive experience in programme management, including developing business cases to support capital investment and drive delivery of long-term strategic goals.
Currently, Phill is leading the North West Ambulance Service’s interoperability strategy, focusing on key initiatives such as a Master Patient Index, Electronic Health Record (EHR), and Corporate Gazetteer to improve data quality and digital maturity. He successfully delivered NWAS’s Electronic Referral and Information Sharing System (ERISS), now central to its first integration with the Medical Interoperability Gateway (MiG).
Recognised for his ability to manage and motivate both direct and matrix teams in 24/7/365 operational settings, Phill is also a sought-after speaker at forums including the UK Informatics Forum and the World Class Informatics Conference. He is known for his strong leadership, stakeholder engagement skills, and dedication to advancing healthcare interoperability across the NHS.