James was honoured to be elected as a Suffolk County Councillor in 2017. Previously, he was a leading Lowestoft business man. He has been a member of the Lowestoft and Waveney Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for 35 years, with 4 years as chairman. He continues to serve on the Waveney board of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in the commercial activities of Lowestoft and Waveney.
James had previously been a school governor in various schools in the town and in 2019 accepted the invitation to serve as a co-opted governor at Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy, a position he continues to hold.
Since first coming to Lowestoft in 1984, he has been a keen advocate of links between schools and business, passionate about helping young people to reach their full potential. In 2018 Cllr Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, invited James to become a member of his Cabinet, with responsibilities for Public Health and Prevention. This has meant that he has been fully engaged in the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He is determined to help shape Suffolk’s recovery, ensuring that health inequalities are addressed.
