About

About me

I’m James Kindred. I’ve been a brand builder, graphic designer, and technologist for 25 years, starting as a junior designer for a London firm in the late 1990s and co-founding Big Drop Brewing Co in 2016. I’m now using my many years of experience to help startups and scale-ups realise their brand, design, and digital aspirations.

In 2024, I started offering coaching and mentoring to entrepreneurs with Autism and/or ADHD. I also speak at seminars and conferences about the benefits and opportunities when effectively support neurodivergent employees.

Key positions

N8tiveMedia

Creative Director 2001 — 2005

Clients: Royal Bank of Scotland, Suffolk Libraries, Suffolk County Council, ITV/Celador, Upstarts!, Monitor Audio, International Decorative Surfaces, Calder Colours and more.

Spring Design & Advertising

Creative Director 2008 — 2010

Clients: Dent of London, Anglian Buses, Cazenove+Loyd, Belvoir Fruit Farms, Visit Suffolk, Suffolk County Council, Anderson Homes and more.

Condiment

Founder 2010 — 2014

Thorpeness & Aldeburgh Hotels, Visit Suffolk, Loch Duart Salmon, Wilkin & Son, Suffolk County Council, University of Suffolk, LinITX, JamGouDou, Bohemia Hair, Baytree VA, Barefoot & Gilles, Coles Puddings, Nicholas Estates, Salter & King, Four Letter Word and more.

Inn Style

Co-founder 2012 — 2018

A booking system for small accommodation owners. I developed the brand identity, art direction and the UI/UX and connected services. At its peak, the platform was generating £53m a year for its users.

Big Drop Brewing Co

Co-founder 2016 —

Live your biggest life. Do as much as you can. Jump in with both feet, laughing yourself hoarse and never stop doing more of what you love. For us, our passion is brewing the finest, tastiest craft beers we possibly can. And because tomorrow is always another day, it’s alcohol free. I manage the packaging, POS and overall brand direction for the company across the UK and multiple international markets.

Fork

Owner 2018 —

And here we are right up to today! I’ve wrapped up my 25 years of brand, design and technology experience into Fork. Why Fork? Because over the lifetime of a business, you’ll reach many forks in the road. I’m here to help you choose the right direction to take.

Education & Speaking

Careers Day: Business – University of Suffolk

November 2024

Visiting Lecturer: Art & Design – University of Suffolk

November 2023

Personal

I live in Ipswich with my wife, two daughters and two labs, Buddy and Moose. I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD in early 2023. My condition helps me with creative approaches and deep abstract thinking – it can also come with challenges!

Charities & Volunteering

Ipswich.love

Founder & Team Member

Ipswich.love is an independent not-for-profit organisation and movement, run by a team of proud Ipswich folk who want to celebrate everything about our amazing town, people, diversity, culture and creativity.

R;pple

Advisory Board Member (Alcohol & Neurodiversity)

R;pple are dedicated to intercepting harmful content related to self-harm and suicide through innovative technology. Their mission is fuelled by the personal experience of founder, Alice Hendy, who tragically lost her only sibling, Josh, to suicide. Josh was 21.

Suffolk Autism Strategy

Co-Chair

I’m worked with an external consultancy and Suffolk County Council to develop a dedicated strategy for Autism care and diagnosis in Suffolk. A panel of lived-experience individuals, healthcare professionals and third party consultants meet multiple times a month to develop short-term and long-term strategies.

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