CEO, Springwise

James Bidwell

 James is the majority shareholder and CEO of Springwise, the world’s largest idea spotting network. Established in 2002, Springwise scans the globe to discover and share carefully curated, real time, real business, innovation and start up ideas. www.springwise.com.

James has over 20 years experience in growing retail and tourism brands. Highlights include the turnaround and sale of Selfridges PLC as Marketing Director, the renaissance of London Tourism and laying the foundations for the Olympic legacy as CEO Visit London, the launch of Disneyland, Paris, and heading up the launch of Anthropologie in Europe as Managing Director. Recently James has led the transformation of smaller businesses including Cass Art and Easyart, with particular emphasis on digital growth.

James is a keen advocate for the Environment and for social change. At Visit London he introduced the green tourism initiative, and more recently has served for 4 years as an expert judge for the CSR category of the World Retail Congress Awards.
He is a Director and Investor in the Natural Mat Company. www.naturalmat.co.uk.

Springwise has become a member of 1% for the Planet, whereby the company donates 1% of annual sales to Environmental causes.