James Smith is Chairman of Shell UK. He has been with Shell since 1983 and has worked in all the Group’s major businesses.

Until the end of 2003 James was on the global board of Shell Chemicals as Head of Technology, Strategy and Sustainable Development. He has been Head of Resourcing, which principally involved ensuring there is a highly talented and diverse group of leaders for the top 200 jobs in Shell.

Much of James’ early career was in upstream oil and gas production, latterly in business development. He lived for four and half years in South-East Asia, in Malaysia and Brunei. He has been extensively involved in Shell business in a number of Middle Eastern countries and in the US. In addition, James was Managing Director of Shell’s downstream business in Brunei and chaired Shell’s global catalyst business during a period of restructuring for profitability.

James has a degree in physics and is a chartered accountant. Before joining Shell he worked with Accenture. He is married with one son. His hobbies include tennis, golf, skiing, hillwalking and the garden.

James has been a Trustee of the Windsor Leadership Trust since May 2005.