1958–2017

James qualified at Guy's Hospital in 1981, working in a large practice in Folkestone for four years before moving to Hove in Sussex in 1985, where he set up his own family-run practice, building a reputation as a very caring dentist with many telling testimonials from grateful patients. James was a natural innovator and problem solver and his team frequently fondly commented on his wonderful ability to 'Hooperise' (that is, fix with great elegance) any seemingly intractable problem. A strong supporter of dental technology, his long-standing and dedicated team included his in-house laboratory. James began teaching at King's College Hospital Dental Institute at Denmark Hill in the late 1990s and more recently moved to teaching fixed prosthodontics at King's College London Dental Institute's Guy's campus. Before a day's teaching James routinely cycled to Tooting Bec Lido for an early morning 2k swim, following which over lunch he could often be found having a quick dip in the Thomas Guy Club Pool. James was a happy, good natured teacher who was immensely popular with his students, for whom he voluntarily organised annual 'open days' at his practice in Hove, which were received with excellent feedback. James had a lovely smile and always seemed unflustered with the demands of teaching. James is to have a dental surgery dedicated in his name at West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre, part of KCL's Undergraduate Community Outreach.

Outside of dentistry he loved water sports, being a keen yachtsman at several sailing clubs. James found particular satisfaction in helping making boating more accessible for those with disabilities by teaching with the RYA Sailability charity, where a boat in Shoreham Sail club will be dedicated after him. He was also a year-round open-water swimmer and could be spotted in all weathers making his way around the Brighton piers in his trademark bright pink swimming cap. His love for cold water swimming took him internationally to Lake Michigan during the Mid-Winter US conference, where he was a prominent member of the British Society of Occlusal Studies and also to Scandinavia. He was supporting a cross channel relay swim for a charity in a new boat launched a couple of days before he passed away.

James mentored his students with the same care he gave to his patients. He worked to a demanding schedule with his students and always had a smile. His death is a sad loss to his family, in particular his wife, Jane, his children, Jenny and Chris, his mother, Jill and sisters, Susan and Elizabeth, as well as to his staff, patients and colleagues in practice and at King's College London Dental Institute.