Jim Banks - Design Leader

I help teams create inclusive products by putting people first, users and makers alike.

I’m easy to work with, comfortable testing bold ideas, and willing to break rules when they no longer serve the problem.

My focus is simple: remove friction, create clarity, and deliver thoughtful, innovative, useful prodcuts that makes a real difference.

Experience

Sainsbury’s

At Sainsbury’s, I lead large, multidisciplinary design teams across Sainsbury’s web and app, Argos web and app, and the full online presence for Habitat and Tu Clothing. Together, these platforms support 1.7+ billion transactions every year, with a clear objective: make shopping as easy, accessible, and human as possible, while balancing stakeholder needs, commercial goals, and ROI.

I focused on reducing friction, increasing confidence, and driving repeat use, designing experiences that are not only delightful, but measurably effective. Key successes include helping create a new, smarter ways to shop online at Sainsbury’s, and contributing to Argos Pay, now responsible for £500m+ in annual sales and growing.

Alongside delivery, I built a strong culture of mentorship, training, and shared context, ensuring teams weren’t designing in silos or with blinders on.

We design for real people, from all backgrounds and intentions, always grounding decisions in accessibility, quality, and long-term value.

The result: better platforms, stronger teams, and experiences customers want to come back to.

Cheil UK

Head of Experience 2022 >2025

As Head of Experience at Cheil, an international agency closely partnered with Samsung, I worked directly with Samsung Electronics UK to design and evolve a high-performing, highly usable Ecommerce platform.

Alongside Samsung, I led experience work for global brands including Priority Pass, Absolut Vodka & Philip Morris, operating at the sharp end of complex, high-stakes digital commerce.

The role was defined by experimentation and innovation, with teams encouraged to test new tools, ideas, and interaction models. This approach consistently delivered conversion uplifts of 50%+, while maintaining clarity, usability, and brand integrity.

I led a team of UX and UI designers, managed demanding stakeholder relationships, and partnered with new business teams to shape pitches helping position Cheil at the pinnacle of modern e-commerce experience design.