Dr James Hewitt is the speaker you book when you want measurable performance gains without sacrificing well-being. A human performance scientist, keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to senior leaders, James works with organisations navigating relentless demand, rapid change, and sustained delivery pressure. He brings a rare blend of academic rigour and frontline credibility, translating cutting-edge performance science into practical actions teams can apply immediately. If your audience is fatigued, overloaded, or trapped in reactive working patterns, James helps them reset how they work, recover, and lead so that high performance becomes sustainable rather than short lived.
James’ journey began in elite sport. As a former full-time racing cyclist, he discovered early that effort alone does not drive results, intelligent training, structured recovery, and disciplined systems do. That insight shaped a central question that defines his career: how can people achieve extraordinary performance without compromising their health. He went on to earn a PhD in Human Performance Science from Loughborough University, ranked number one globally for Sport, Exercise, and Health Science. His research examines how modern work patterns influence behaviour, cognition, and wellbeing. Recognised internationally for his expertise, James was awarded a United States O-1A visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences. He is known for making complex evidence accessible and commercially relevant for leaders who want better outcomes without superficial motivation.
Professionally, James has operated at the highest levels of performance. He served as Chief Innovation Officer for the coaching company behind 19 Formula 1 World Championships, shaping evidence-led strategies for world-class performers operating under extreme pressure. He also held senior leadership roles at Hintsa Performance, including Chief Innovation Officer, Head of Science and Innovation, and Science and Development Director, guiding high-performing executives and teams. In addition, he founded The Knowledge Work Lab, a consultancy providing organisations with research-backed insight, benchmarking, and strategic guidance to build cultures where people thrive and performance follows.
On stage, James combines credibility with clarity. He has delivered keynotes in more than 35 countries to audiences of over 8,000 people, speaking at three World Economic Forum Annual Meetings in Davos, the Nordic Business Forum alongside Barack Obama, and the Global Leadership Summit. His clients include PwC, McKinsey, BCG, HSBC, UBS, and Mercedes-Benz. Audiences leave with specific frameworks, such as how to protect deep work time, reduce cognitive overload from constant communication, and embed short recovery habits into demanding schedules. His message resonates because it respects ambition and provides a smarter way to sustain it.
