Confluence YYC: The Productivity Imperative

James is a Business Advisor with BDC Advisory Services, based in Calgary and part of our Technology Centre of Expertise. He works directly with Canadian small and mid-sized businesses across manufacturing, logistics, construction services, and healthcare to help them adopt and get real value from technology. Much of his current work is focused on helping companies put AI to work in practical ways, from identifying where it can remove friction to building the processes and skills that let teams use it. In his view, the real opportunity is not the technology itself but implementing AI and digital tools in a way that improves productivity, empowers employees, and delivers measurable business results.

He began his career in oil and gas at Pembina Pipeline, working in their central control centre on SCADA systems, data management and product scheduling, and leading innovation work to improve how operators perform in a demanding, high-stakes environment. He then moved to Deloitte in technology consulting, where he focused on matching the right technology to where an organization actually is and on the change management required to make it stick. Most recently, before joining BDC, he led North American delivery for a London, England-based construction AI startup, embedding AI into the hands of frontline workers and helping major construction firms build their digital adoption roadmaps in an industry historically underserved by technology.

He leads mandates guiding owners through technology roadmaps, vendor evaluation, and implementation planning so the investment translates into measurable productivity gains.  Today he is working with companies across Western Canada that know AI matters but are not sure where to start, helping them cut through the noise and take a strategic approach to a technology that is reshaping how their industries compete.