27 Facts About Howell James

Howell James CBE is a communications adviser and former Vice-Chairman of Corporate Affairs at Barclays.

Howell James has had a long career as a communications adviser in government, broadcasting, and multi-national business.

Howell James was educated at Mill Hill School, a non-conformist Christian Foundation boarding school in North West London.

Howell James worked with an early team of DJs including Kenny Everett, Roger Scott, Mike Aspel and Graham Dene.

Later, Howell James formed part of the management team as Head of Publicity at the launch of TVam with David Frost, Peter Jay, Angela Rippon, Anna Fors and Michael Parkinson.

Howell James described his time working for the channel as 'a great blooding'.

At 33, Howell James was the youngest ever director at the BBC, his role focused on justifying the benefits of the BBC to the Government and the public during the charter renewal debate.

Alongside Deputy Director General John Birt, Howell James worked on expanding the BBC's current affairs division.

Howell James worked with Lord Young throughout the 1987 general election campaign.

In 1992 Howell James left the BBC to join Lord Young again, this time at Cable and Wireless before being sought out by John Major who offered Howell James a position at No 10 in 1994.

Howell James worked with Major throughout his premiership until the 1997 general election.

Howell James stayed on working with Major in opposition until William Hague took over as party leader.

In 2004 Howell James returned to Westminster after the Cabinet Secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull and Prime Minister Tony Blair asked him to become Permanent Secretary of Government Communications.

Howell James described his time as Permanent Secretary for Government Communications as "testing" particularly when he had to manage the Government's response to the 2005 London Underground Bombings.

Howell James left Westminster in 1997 to set up his own Public Relations consultancy firm, Brown Lloyd Howell James with Sir Nicholas Lloyd, the former editor of the Daily Express, and Peter Brown.

Howell James joined Barclays in summer of 2008 He was responsible for group's media and government relations, corporate communications and global community initiative.

Howell James worked with Barclay's chairman Marcus Agius, CEO John Varley and Investment Bank CEO Bob Diamond over the next several years of difficulties for the bank.

Howell James departed Barclays in 2012 and took up a position at the international auction house Christie's.

Howell James was responsible for all internal and external communications activity and corporate reputation spanning Europe, US and Asia.

Howell James left Christies in 2014 to head up Quiller Consultants, a strategic communications and public affairs firm specialising in strategic communications and reputation management, it forms part of the Huntsworth Group.

Howell James was appointed CEO following the departure Sean Worth earlier that year.

Howell James has been close with Peter Mandelson and Reinaldo Avila da Silva, and had dated da Silva previously.

Howell James is the co-owner of a luxury boutique hotel in Marrakech, El Fenn, which he purchased in 2002 with entrepreneur Vanessa Branson.

Howell James sits on the board of Trustees of the British Council and was on the board during the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Triennial Review of the organisation.

Howell James joined the board of the Chichester Theatre Festival in 2006 and worked closely with the management team.

Howell James recently stood down after nine years on the Board.

Howell James was appointed a CBE in August 1997 for political services to the realm.