James joined the PPL Board as a non-executive director in March 2008.

James is a barrister with a broad commercial practice encompassing all areas of commercial litigation, including conflicts of laws, energy and natural resources, product liability, banking and finance, international trade, and confidentiality and privilege. He has considerable experience of large-scale litigation, both in court proceedings and in arbitration.

Through James’ extensive involvement in acting for both multinational blue-chip companies and smaller-scale private entities he has developed a detailed knowledge of a variety of business sectors, ranging from financial services to international commerce. His contribution to the PPL board has been invaluable, in terms of both helping to steer the development of the organisation as a whole, and bringing a particular commitment to fostering partnerships in areas such as sustainability and development, including our work with environmental charities.

James holds an MA in History from the University of Cambridge, was a Thornton and Foundation Scholar, Queen Mother Scholar, Astbury Scholar (Middle Temple), Senior Scarman Scholar as well as also holding a Bar Council Certificate of Honour. He was called to the Bar in 1999 and appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2018.