James Drake (businessman)

James Drake is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the Chairman and Founder of The Drake Foundation, and founder of The Future Science Group. He is a prominent figure within the professional Rugby union|rugby and football health and welfare debate.
== Early life and education ==
Born in Paris, France, Drake spent his early years in Tondu, South Wales and Devon, before settling in Cardiff, Wales. Drake attended the University of Leeds, where he achieved a BSc in Biochemistry.
== The Drake Foundation ==
In 2014, Drake launched The Drake Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to understanding and improving the health and welfare of sporting athletes who participate in contact sports. Since launch, the foundation has committed over £2.2 million into research and resources across various sports and competition levels, working with sports organisations, leading UK universities and governing bodies.
In July 2021, James Drake and The Drake Foundation published the Drake Biomarker Rugby Study, a landmark research into abnormalities in brain structure within professional rugby players. The study gained worldwide coverage and prompted response from governing bodies within the sport
In July 2021, Drake appeared on BBC One's Morning Live to discuss the study, specifically the neuro-imaging section of the research.
Later that month, James was interviewed by ITV News, where he called for player health within rugby to “be taken more seriously". Drake also appeared live on LBC|LBC Radio to discuss the study with host Iain Dale, where he called for a review of health protocol within professional rugby.
Drake's comments have also been featured in leading French daily newspaper, L'Équipe|L'Equipe, Ireland's Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTE and Australia's The Sydney Morning Herald|Sydney Morning Herald. James has also been at the forefront of other leading brain health studies across football and rugby, with University College London describing him as “pioneering work in this field in the UK”.
== Career ==
In 2003, Drake founded the Future Science Group, a progressive publisher focussed on medical, biotechnological and scientific research around the globe. In 2015, James launched the Drake Calleja Trust, an organisation that provides music grants to those with exceptional musical talent from predominantly socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
In 2019, the Drake Calleja Trust launched The Drake YolanDa Award, which recognises and supports emerging artists across the UK. Drake launched the initiative with award-winning musician and BBC Music ambassador, YolanDa Brown.
== Other work ==
James is an amateur painter and has created a number of private works for a host of well-known figures and organisations. One of his most well-known pieces depicted the moment when UK Prime Minister, Theresa May signed the Withdrawal from the European Union|Article 50 letter that officially committed the UK to leaving the European Union. The painting generated attention in the UK media and was subsequently purchased by May in a private sale.
Category:French businesspeople
Category:French philanthropists
Category:People from Paris