James Lambert | Official Profile on The Marque

James Lambert’s Biography

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James Lambert OBE is a Founder shareholder and Deputy Chairman of Value Retail PLC, which developed and operates Bicester Village and ten sister Villages in Europe and China. The Collection of Villages in Europe and China welcomed 45 million visitors in 2019 including 7.3 million at Bicester Village alone. Bicester Village has the highest sales densities of any shopping destination in the world.

James's first career was as a dealer in Old Master paintings, where he was a Director of Colnaghi.

His pro-bono activities are focused on the arts and education.

In December 2021 James was appointed a Trustee of the National Gallery. He was a Trustee of Somerset House from March 2016 until March 2022.

He is a founder Trustee of IntoUniversity, originally a local charity which successfully scaled into a national charity with 27 centres. James retired as Chair and Trustee in 2018 and is a member of the Advisory Panel. The charity currently supports 35,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration. IntoUniversity was described... James Lambert OBE is a Founder shareholder and Deputy Chairman of Value Retail PLC, which developed and operates Bicester Village and ten sister Villages in Europe and China. The Collection of Villages in Europe and China welcomed 45 million visitors in 2019 including 7.3 million at Bicester Village alone. Bicester Village has the highest sales densities of any shopping destination in the world.

James's first career was as a dealer in Old Master paintings, where he was a Director of Colnaghi.

His pro-bono activities are focused on the arts and education.

In December 2021 James was appointed a Trustee of the National Gallery. He was a Trustee of Somerset House from March 2016 until March 2022.

He is a founder Trustee of IntoUniversity, originally a local charity which successfully scaled into a national charity with 27 centres. James retired as Chair and Trustee in 2018 and is a member of the Advisory Panel. The charity currently supports 35,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration. IntoUniversity was described by one Times columnist as ‘the most powerful engine for social mobility in the UK.’

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his services to social mobility in education.

James is an Honorary Fellow of the New College of the Humanities, the independent undergraduate and master’s degree college in London where is a member of the Advisory Board. moreless

James Lambert’s Newsfeed

GOV.UK

James Lambert OBE appointed Trustee of the National Gallery

James Lambert OBE, Diana Berry and Dounia Nadar have been appointed as Trustees of the National Gallery.

James Lambert’s Background

Value Retail PLC

Founder shareholder and Deputy Chairman

1993 - Present

London, UK

James is a Founder Shareholder and Deputy Chairman of Value Retail PLC, a company that specialises in the development and operation of 11 luxury outlet shopping villages in Europe and China.

Colnaghi

Director

Colnaghi was established in 1760 and is one of the world’s oldest commercial art galleries. By the late 19th Century the gallery was renowned as a leading dealer in Old Masters, selling masterpieces to the greatest museums and collectors of the time. Today, Colnaghi is the only gallery specialising in art from antiquity up to the present day, providing expert advice and service to its clients.

Other Business Interests

Lisburne Holdings

Director

1991 - Present

London, UK

Property investment company based in London.

Caverncharm Ltd

Director

London, UK

Property investment company based in London.

Current Board Positions

The National Gallery

Trustee

Dec 2021 - Present

London, UK

Founded in 1824, the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square houses a collection of almost 2,500 paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries. It is open for 361 days of the year and entry is free of charge. The Gallery is run by its Board of Trustees.

Previous Board Positions

Somerset House

Trustee

Mar 2016 - Mar 2022

London, UK

Somerset House is a new kind of arts centre in the heart of London, designed for today’s audiences and creatives. Offering a diverse and dynamic public programme of contemporary arts and culture, it is also a home to a large community of creative businesses, artists and makers, including Somerset House Studios.

Current Advisory Roles

IntoUniversity

Founder Trustee 2006, Chair of the Trustee Board 2009-2018, Member of the Advisory Panel 2008-Present

2009 - Present

London, UK

IntoUniversity is a national charity that works with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another chosen aspiration. IntoUniversity was described by one Times columnist as 'the most powerful engine for social mobility in the UK'.

New College of the Humanities

Advisory Board Member

2011 - Present

London, UK

James sits on the Advisory Board of the New College of the Humanities, the independent undergraduate and master’s degree college in London founded in 2010.

James Lambert’s Education

University of Cambridge

Awarded an exhibition to St Catharine's College

1975 - 1978