James Lambert | Founder Shareholder & Deputy Chairman, Value Retail

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'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... 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 he is also a member of the Advisory Board. READ MORE VIEW LESS

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James Lambert OBE appointed Trustee of the National Gallery

James Lambert’s Background

Value Retail PLC

Founder shareholder & 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 dynamic cultural centre in central London, hosting a diverse range of activities including contemporary art exhibitions, live performances, film screenings, and creative workshops. It’s also known for seasonal highlights like its winter ice rink and summer courtyard concerts, making it a vibrant hub for art, culture, and entertainment.

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

Honorary Fellow & 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

James Lambert OBE

Founder shareholder & Deputy Chairman

Value Retail PLC

London, UK

James Lambert’s Biography

James Lambert’s Newsfeed

James Lambert’s Background

Other Business Interests

Current Board Positions

Previous Board Positions

Current Advisory Roles

James Lambert’s Education

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