James Routledge

James Routledge is the Founder and CEO of Sanctus, a purpose-led organisation dedicated to changing the way people perceive mental health. Driven by his own struggles with mental health, James created Sanctus with the vision of establishing the world’s first mental health gym on the high street—making support more accessible, relatable, and normalized. His personal journey and honest reflections, which he shared through a widely-read Medium blog, quickly went viral and resonated with many.

Since launching Sanctus, James has used his platform to build a large and engaged social media following, consistently using it to challenge stigma and spark open conversations about mental wellbeing. Under his leadership, Sanctus has delivered coaching to over 10,000 employees, helping individuals and companies cultivate healthier approaches to mental health in the workplace.

James’s mission and impact have not gone unnoticed. His work has been featured in major outlets such as The Times, The Guardian, and across BBC TV and radio. He has also become a sought-after public speaker, regularly sharing his story and insights on global stages. Through his efforts, James continues to play a key role in shifting the cultural narrative around mental health—advocating for it to be treated with the same importance and openness as physical health.