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James WetherallJames Wetherall alternate

James Wetherall

Founder & CEO

James is the Founder and CEO of Geode Solutions, where he leads both the business and its advisory work with clients. With extensive global experience in leadership roles across vertical market software and public and private sector transformation, he combines executive oversight with direct engagement on strategy, investment planning, and complex program delivery.

About James

James is the Founder and CEO of Geode Solutions, a consultancy that helps organisations tackle complex challenges by aligning strategy, systems, and delivery. Since establishing Geode in 2013, he has worked with public sector and enterprise clients across healthcare, justice, infrastructure, and government service delivery.

James brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, hands-on delivery experience, and commercial acumen. He works closely with executives, program leaders, and delivery teams to clarify priorities, shape future-state models, and guide complex programs from early planning through to implementation. His focus is always on making change practical, manageable, and valuable — not just on paper, but in practice.

Career and Experience

In 2022, James shifted his full focus to growing Geode Solutions, strengthening its role as a trusted advisory partner to public and enterprise clients. Building on this foundation, he recently established the Geode Labs brand to lead the development of digital tools and platforms that extend Geode’s consulting expertise through technology and product innovation

Previously, James served as Managing Director within the Constellation Software (Volaris Group) portfolio, where he led the growth of a vertical market software business delivering mission-critical systems to emergency services agencies. Under his leadership, the business increased net revenue more than 15-fold and delivered major digital transformation programs with NSW and Queensland Health.

Earlier in his career, James held senior roles with Tolerro, Bentley Systems, and Exor Corporation, leading complex delivery and transformation initiatives across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America

Leadership Style

James is known for his calm, structured leadership in complex environments. He thrives in situations where clarity is lacking, trust must be earned, and outcomes matter. Whether defining investment priorities, resolving delivery friction, or turning strategy into executable plans, James focuses on making real progress — not just delivering reports. He builds high-performance teams, fosters trust-based stakeholder engagement, and helps organisations scale their internal capability as they grow.

Recent Work & Impact

  • eHealth Queensland – Led cost and investment planning architecture for a major Patient Administration System (PAS) modernisation, and delivered cross-agency leadership for the design of a statewide Coronial Service digital reform program.
  • Queensland Treasury – Led the development of a $250M, multi-year modernisation program and a whole-of-government business case for fine management and digital service delivery, coordinating multiple agency priorities into a unified investment roadmap.
  • Geode Labs – Conceived and launched Geode Labs as a product and innovation incubator to extend Geode’s delivery expertise into scalable digital tools. This includes the development of the Geode Cost Navigator, a next-generation cost modelling and simulation platform that enables clients to evaluate investment options, manage delivery risk, and visualise program forecasts in real time.
  • NSW Telco Authority – Designed the scope and financial model for a mission-critical messaging platform supporting a 370-site emergency communications network across New South Wales.
  • Rural and Remote Digital Healthcare Strategy – Shaped a $300M investment roadmap to support equitable digital health delivery in rural and remote regions, aligning system capability uplift with infrastructure and service planning across Queensland.

Key Capabilities

  • Digital transformation & enterprise systems
  • Strategy & business case development
  • Complex program delivery
  • Executive stakeholder engagement
  • P&L and financial performance leadership
  • Market growth & M&A strategy
  • Conceptualising and articulating financial investment approaches

Industry Experience

  • Healthcare and hospitals – Queensland Health, Healthdirect Australia, Australian Digital Health Agency, NSW Health
  • Justice and coronial services – Department of Justice and Attorney-General (QLD), Coroners Court of Queensland, Queensland Police Service, NSW Police
  • Emergency services and public safety – NSW Ambulance, Queensland Ambulance Service, NSW Telco Authority, Queensland Ambulance Service,
  • Transport and infrastructure – Highways Agency (UK), Transport for Longon, Department of Transport and Main Roads (QLD), New Zealand Transport Agency, VicRoads
  • Revenue, fines, and regulatory agencies – Queensland Treasury, SPER, Department of Transport (QLD), NSW Revenue
  • Enterprise software and technology platforms – Constellation Software, Bentley Systems, Tolerro, Exor Corporation, Geode Labs
  • Utilities – PowerWater (NT), Western Power, Powerlink, British Telecom, Telstra, Severn Trent Water