James Lambert OBE

Founder shareholder and Deputy Chairman

Value Retail PLC

London, UK

James Lambert’s Biography

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' pro bono activities are focused on education and the arts. 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 is a Trustee of Somerset House, a cultural centre in the heart of London which attracts over 3 million visitors a year and combines a historic heritage with a commitment to contemporary culture.

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

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 Lambert’s Newsfeed

This is Money

How Bicester Village plans to bounce back when lockdown shopping restrictions are lifted

Deputy chairman James Lambert, says that, with creative thinking, it will once again be a honeypot for shoppers, albeit in a new safety-conscious age. 'I feel tremendously energised about the re-opening,' he said. 'It will be a great moment, fantastic to see the mall come to life again ...'

New Year’s Honours 2020: education, children's services and social mobility

The New Year Honours list 2020 recognised a total of 84 people for their outstanding contributions to education, children’s services and improving social mobility. James Lambert was awarded an OBE for services to social mobility in education.

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.

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.

Philanthropy

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.