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James will serve as Chairman from 01 August 2022 to 31 July 2026.

James previously held a 25-year career as an investment banker and was the youngest ever Director of merchant bank J. Henry Schroder and Co. He was also Citigroup’s Head and Chairman of Real Estate and Lodging, and a member of Citigroup’s Global Banking Operating Committee. 

He has advised the boards of large companies and governments in the UK and across the world and has led a wide range of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and financing transactions. James' roles as an executive and as a non-executive Chairman have covered a wide range of businesses, organisations and institutions, providing strategic and operational guidance and counsel to boards, clients and management teams.

Since stepping down as an investment banker in 2009, James has spent approximately half his working time supporting the public sector. He has recently retired as non-executive Chairman of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, and until September 2016 was also non-executive Chairman of Plymouth University.

James may also be remembered more locally as the former chairman of Plymouth Argyle Football Club.