Insightful Talk from Incoming Chair of Governors, James Wilkinson

Greenhead College was delighted to recently welcome our incoming Chair of Governors, James Wilkinson, who joined us to speak with students from our Economics and Business courses.

James is Director of Finance at Cafédirect, a pioneering social enterprise that works closely with coffee bean farmers across the globe. During his visit, he spoke to students about Cafédirect’s commitment to ethical trading, its partnerships with farming communities, and the wider impact of operating within the Fairtrade scheme.

Delivering an engaging talk to both our Economics and Business students, James explored how theoretical concepts taught in the classroom are applied in real‑world business settings. Topics included the role of co-operatives, fair pricing, and how socially responsible business models can support sustainable livelihoods for producers.

The session linked closely to both syllabuses and provided students with valuable insight into how economic theory and business practice intersect. By using real examples from his professional experience, James helped students deepen their understanding of key topics while also highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making in contemporary business.

An A2 Economics student reflected on the session, commenting:

“James helped me link the Economics theory to the real world. For example, understanding how co-operatives help farmers negotiate a better income and how the Fairtrade scheme works.”

Opportunities such as this are an important part of the Greenhead experience, helping students to contextualise their learning and gain a broader perspective on the subjects they study.

A big thank you to James for taking the time to speak to our students, and we extend a warm welcome as he takes up his new role within the College community. We look forward to working with him and benefiting from his expertise in the future.