James Buckley-Thorp

I’m an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience building and scaling ventures across retail, insurance, and technology. My work spans business strategy, product development, market research, financial modelling, and fundraising. I founded Rupert and Buckley, growing it from an idea into a national brand with over 125 stores and concession locations. The company was listed in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and received multiple industry awards. After exiting in 2016, I relocated to San Francisco, where I supported early-stage startups in refining business models and raising capital. In 2019, I launched Bequest, a digital life insurance platform designed to modernise the sector through automation, third-party data integration, and improved user experience. Backed by Founders Facto...