Motley Fool Premium
  1. Authors
    2. /
  2. James Beard
    3. /

James Beard

After studying Business Economics at the University of Leicester, James completed a Master's degree in Development Economics. He then joined an accountancy firm in London and went on to qualify as a chartered accountant. James finished his career in practice as a Senior Assurance Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Middle East. He has since held various senior finance positions - mainly in SMEs but also in an AIM-listed company - in the energy, engineering and manufacturing sectors, both in the UK and Ireland. He is now a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and joined The Motley Fool in September 2023. James invests primarily in UK stocks through his Stocks and Shares ISA and Self-Invested Personal Pension Plan. He enjoys using his accountancy training to review annual reports and earnings releases in an attempt to identify potentially undervalued companies. He also likes dividend stocks and follows the tried and tested approach of reinvesting all of the income he earns buying more shares. His favourite investment quote comes from Warren Buffett. He once said: “Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks."

Recent Articles

Young black woman using a mobile phone in a transport facility
Investing Articles

Why I’ve just bought £3,500 of BT shares

| James Beard

James Beard has recently invested £3,500 in BT shares. He explains the reasons behind his decision to buy a stake…

Read more »

Happy young female stock-picker in a cafe
Investing Articles

If I gave up coffee, here’s how much passive income I could earn next year

| James Beard

Our writer thinks he could generate hefty passive income by making one key lifestyle change and investing in high-yielding shares.

Read more »

Content white businesswoman being congratulated by colleagues at her retirement party
Investing Articles

As I’m approaching 50 with limited savings, how might Warren Buffett be able to help me?

| James Beard

Our writer is worried that he does not have sufficient savings for a comfortable retirement. Can the advice of Warren…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,500 in Lloyds Bank shares 12 months ago, I’d have this much now

| James Beard

Against a backdrop of rising interest rates, James Beard considers how much £1,500 invested in Lloyds Bank shares a year…

Read more »

ESG concept of environmental, social and governance.
Investing Articles

With the Woodbois share price under 3p, would I be mad not to buy?

| James Beard

The Woodbois share price has fallen by a third since the start of 2022. James Beard asks whether now is…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

After this FTSE 100 giant’s Q3 results, should I invest?

| James Beard

BP has just released its results for the third quarter of 2022. Our writer takes a look, and considers whether…

Read more »

Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £600 in Greatland Gold shares 2 years ago, here’s how much I’d have now

| James Beard

Our writer looks at the performance of Greatland Gold shares since October 2020, and examines how much £600 invested at…

Read more »

many happy international football fans watching tv
Investing Articles

Should I bet on the Flutter Entertainment share price going up?

| James Beard

With the gambling and gaming markets growing, James Beard considers whether the Flutter Entertainment share price is odds-on to rise.

Read more »

Abstract 3d arrows with rocket
Investing Articles

With the BAE Systems share price up nearly 50% in 2022, have I left it too late to invest?

| James Beard

Our writer looks at why the BAE Systems share price has increased by almost 50% since the start of January,…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

5 reasons why I won’t put Ocado shares on my shopping list

| James Beard

Ocado shares appear to have fallen out of favour with investors in recent months. Our writer gives a handful of…

Read more »

Young black woman walking in Central London for shopping
Investing Articles

Here’s why I regret selling my Unilever shares

| James Beard

Our writer explains why he sold his Unilever shares and, following recent turmoil in the markets, now regrets making this…

Read more »

many happy international football fans watching tv
Investing Articles

The JD Sports share price is down 10% in a month, should I buy?

| James Beard

James Beard examines why the JD Sports share price has fallen over the past month, and considers adding the stock…

Read more »

A house being constructed in the countryside
Investing Articles

With the Taylor Wimpey share price falling by 45% this year, is it now time to buy?

| James Beard

The Taylor Wimpey share price has plummeted since the start of 2022. Should James Beard include the stock in his…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With the Tesco share price down 20% in a month, is it now time to put the stock in my shopping trolley?

| James Beard

The Tesco share price has fallen by 21% over the past month. James Beard looks at the company’s recent results…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Having fallen 15% in a month, are these two UK shares now dirt-cheap?

| James Beard

James Beard asks whether two UK shares, Ocado and BT, whose stock prices have fallen by more than 15% in…

Read more »

Group of friends celebrating together the end of 2022 and the new beginning in 2023.
Investing Articles

Here’s how much passive income £5,000 could get me next year

| James Beard

James Beard considers how much passive income could be generated next year, from investing £5,000 in some of the UK’s…

Read more »

Young Woman Drives Car With Dog in Back Seat
Investing Articles

Will investing £10,000 in these shares get me an Aston Martin before I retire?

| James Beard

If he invested £10,000 today in Aston Martin shares, will James Beard be able to afford the car of his…

Read more »

2022 new year concept image
Investing Articles

If I’d invested £1,000 in Lloyds Bank shares at the start of 2022, here’s what I’d have now

| James Beard

James Beard looks at the performance of Lloyds Bank shares since the start of this year and considers whether he…

Read more »

Surprised Black girl holding teddy bear toy on Christmas
Investing Articles

With the boohoo share price down 84%, will I shed a few tears if I don’t buy now?

| James Beard

The boohoo share price has fallen by 84% over the past 12 months, leaving its shareholders blubbing. Is this an…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With the BP share price at 445p, should I fill up on these shares now?

| James Beard

BP shares are currently trading at around 445p, having risen by 33% since the start of 2022. Is the BP…

Read more »

Typical street lined with terraced houses and parked cars
Investing Articles

How can I aim to become a millionaire? Property or the FTSE 100?

| James Beard

With a view to planning for his retirement, James Beard considers whether investing in property or the FTSE 100 is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Will a Liz Truss premiership send the FTSE 100 soaring?

| James Beard

James Beard considers whether Liz Truss’ election as Prime Minister for the United Kingdom will give a boost to the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

The biggest FTSE 100 company you have never heard of

| James Beard

James Beard reviews one of the lesser-known members of the FTSE 100 with a view to adding it to his…

Read more »