James Herbert Beetham (1909 – April 1992) was an English billiards player and soft drink manufacturer.

Beetham was regarded as one of the three main pillars of English amateur billiards alongside Frank Edwards and Leslie Driffield.

[2] His father James Henry and mother Mary Jane Beetham ran family business which was into manufacturing and selling mineral water.

[3] None of his family members were involved in any sport, but his father James Henry had developed a profound interest in the game of billiards.

Beetham ran the family business White Brothers mineral water manufacturing company in Derby taking over from his parents and also became a prominent successful businessman.

He also pointed out that if he had considered billiards as a profession he should have spent huge amount of pounds to play in club level.

[5] He was set to take part at the 1942 English Amateur Billiards Championship but the tournament was called off due to World War II and he was sent back home.

[5] He remained as an amateur billiards player throughout his career without attempting to enter the professional level and instead continued his soft drink manufacturing business from where he left off with his son Philip Beetham.