Introducing President of the Board at Glenray: James King
We are pleased to announce that James King has been appointed President of the Board of Directors at Glenray. Bringing more than 25 years of commercial leadership experience, along with a deep personal commitment to disability services, James steps into the role at an important time for the organisation. We sat down with him to talk about his journey, his approach to leadership, and his vision for the future of Glenray.
James’ leadership philosophy is grounded in a strong belief that commercial success and purpose must go hand in hand. “No matter what, our business strategy must always be in the best interests of the people we support,” he says. For James, success is only meaningful if it delivers better outcomes for participants.
His understanding of disability support and the NDIS is deeply personal. Growing up with a father who was paraplegic, disability was part of everyday life. “Where others saw what Dad couldn’t do, I could see what he was capable of,” James reflects. He witnessed firsthand the barriers faced not only by people living with disability, but also by their families and carers. "My mother has been my father's primary support throughout his adult life, and I've seen the physical and emotional toll that takes on families" he said.
“It was frustrating encountering inaccessible buildings or seeing people speak to Mum about Dad instead of addressing him directly,” he says. “The biggest barriers weren’t Dad’s disability; they were systemic failures and assumptions made about him.” These experiences continue to shape James’ commitment to inclusive, respectful, and person centred support.
In 2018 James relocated his family from Sydney to Bathurst, where he first encountered Glenray and their mission. After joining the board in 2024, he spent that time understanding Glenray's culture, operations, and the challenges facing NDIS providers before stepping into the Chair position. He was inspired by what is possible when people have access to the right support at the right time. “People living with disability deserve better than what my parents had access to,” he says. “We now have an opportunity to get it right; and I wanted to be part of that.”
As a leader, James believes strongly in honesty and transparency. Every decision, he says, should be tested against one simple question: Does this serve the people we support? “If a decision makes sense commercially but compromises our mission, then it’s the wrong decision. Our focus must always be on enabling better outcomes for participants.”
When asked what message he would like to share with participants and families, James is clear: “Participants and families are why we exist.” He emphasises a commitment to genuine partnership, not just service delivery, and to building a listening culture where feedback is valued and acted on.
James also believes strongly in advocacy “When NDIS funding falls short, we will speak up”. He adds that the Board is committed to being visible and accessible and to standing alongside the people and families Glenray supports. "If you see me around our sites, please say hello. The board is here to serve you, and we can only do that well if we're hearing from you”.
Looking ahead, James is committed to strengthening Glenray’s impact, sustainability, and reputation as a trusted provider. He sees Glenray's social enterprises, which employ more than 50 people living with disability, as both a point of pride and strategic strength. “In an environment where NDIS funding is under pressure, our social enterprise model demonstrates innovation and provides important revenue diversification" he says. His vision is for an organisation that continues to grow responsibly, advocates strongly for inclusion, and delivers high-quality support that empowers people living with disability to live meaningful, independent lives.
