# James Brown

> James Brown is the British founder and CEO of Levin and founder of fintech recruitment brand Storm2. A former Phaidon International group managing director, he launched Storm2 in 2019 with backing from Puffin Point, working with Jamie Robinson and George Trewhella. His career spans graduate recruitment, five years in Singapore, international management and building specialist recruitment businesses.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Levin; founder of Storm2
- **Organizations:** Levin, Storm2, Phaidon International, PP Recruitment Holdings Limited
- **Nationality:** British
- **Education:** History & Politics, University of Southampton, Executive Leadership Programme, INSEAD
- **Known for:** Founded fintech recruitment business Storm2 in 2019., Secured £1 million launch funding from Puffin Point., Previously led 300 people across five locations as Phaidon group managing director.

## Career timeline

- **2008** — Joined Phaidon International as a graduate.
- **2016** — Returned to Europe as Phaidon group managing director after five years in Singapore; led 300 people across five locations.
- **2018** — Left Phaidon following its acquisition by Quilvest Private Equity; incorporated the business initially named Storm2 Ltd on 3 December.
- **2019** — Launched Storm2 with £1 million seed funding from Puffin Point, alongside Jamie Robinson and George Trewhella.
- **2021** — The original Storm2 Ltd legal entity was renamed Levin Group Ltd.
- **2022** — Levin reported $44 million net fee income in its third financial year and more than 600 employees.
- **2024** — Levin announced a US-market focus and corporate restructuring. Original UK entity Levin Group Ltd entered administration on 26 July.
- **2026** — Appointed director of PP Recruitment Holdings Limited on 20 April. Levin Group Ltd moved from administration to creditors’ voluntary liquidation in July; Levin’s current website continues to identify Brown as founder and CEO.

## Achievements

- Founded fintech recruitment business Storm2 in 2019.
- Secured £1 million launch funding from Puffin Point.
- Previously led 300 people across five locations as Phaidon group managing director.
- Levin reported $44 million in net fee income in its third financial year, in 2022.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Original UK legal entity Levin Group Ltd (11708924) moved from administration to creditors’ voluntary liquidation; this entity-specific event is separate from the current operating brands’ public website descriptions.
- **2026-04** — Appointed director of PP Recruitment Holdings Limited on 20 April.
- **2024-07** — Levin announced withdrawal from the European market and a focus on US clients through London and New York.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brown-907ba512/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/james-brown-storm2
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26