About Joshua James

Bilingual school specialist for emerging markets worldwide. Education Leader. Digital Strategist. Safeguarding Advocate.

I help bilingual international schools serving local communities grow through culturally-integrated strategy, leadership development, and people-first transformation.

From the Classroom to the Boardroom

I began my career in education as a Canadian-trained English Language Arts teacher at Taylor's College, Malaysia before moving into university leadership, curriculum development, and bilingual school management. At British University Vietnam, I worked with Vietnam's prestigious state schools Chu Van An High School, Hanoi and Hanoi Amsterdam Gifted High School, to introduce Cambridge A Levels. I also taught A Level Business. In addition to this, I created internship and orientation programmes, led student development, and launched the university's Training Centre.

Later, as the Founding Managing Director of EMASI Van Phuc Bilingual School in Ho Chi Minh City, I grew enrollment by 132% while overseeing school operations, bilingual curriculum reform, digital transformation, and external accreditation processes. I've also partnered with the British Embassy and Hanoi DOET to deliver large-scale leadership and safeguarding training for 1000+ educators and school leaders.

Beyond education, I've served in executive roles with Vietnam's leading business chambers, including as executive Board Member of the British and European Chambers of Commerce, and Co-Chairman of the European Chamber's Human Resources and Training Sector Committee. This business leadership experience gives me unique insight into how international schools can better serve the expatriate and local business communities while building sustainable growth strategies.

Experience at a Glance

EMASI Schools – Founding Managing Director
Led bilingual school operations and strategic growth. Oversaw accreditation efforts across multiple campuses, recruitment, curriculum reform, and digital transformation initiatives.

British University Vietnam – Head of Student Development
Built the university's internship and orientation programmes, managed alumni partnerships, and led the Training Centre, mentoring educators and running leadership events.

8-Bit Content – Co-Founder
Developed SEO and content strategies to help schools and education businesses improve visibility, messaging, and performance.

ChildSafeguarding.Online – Founder
Created scalable online safety training for international schools. Delivered workshops for staff, students, and families across Asia.

Coventry University (NITE) – Visiting Assessor
Assessed and supported trainee teachers pursuing the iPGCE and QTS qualifications across international and bilingual school settings.

BritCham Vietnam – General Secretary, Executive Board
Represented the British business community in Vietnam. Supported advocacy, events, and policy engagement with a focus on education development.

Explore My Consulting Services

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of Sunderland

Master of Education (M.Ed) - Concentration in Organizational Studies

University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) - Middle and High School History and English

University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - History

University of Ottawa

Certificate in School Management & Leadership

Harvard Business School Online

What Drives My Work

After earning my Master's in Education and Teaching degree from the University of Ottawa and starting my teaching career in Malaysia, I found my true calling in Vietnam.

Here, I've dedicated myself to elevating educational standards while building bridges between international excellence and local Vietnamese talent.

What began as a professional opportunity has become a passionate commitment to transformational education.

Today, I live in Ho Chi Minh City with my wife and two young children. As a bilingual household, we live the same values I work to strengthen in schools: inclusion, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Read My Educational Philosophy