James Palmer

I was appointed as Chair of Reform's trustees in July 2019, and have been a trustee for several years.

I am a lawyer and I was until April 2021 the Chair and Senior Partner of the international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, where I continue as a partner. I have particular experience of corporate governance and regulation. For most of my career, along with advising clients, I have also been involved in working on public policy initiatives, including improving regulation, its effectiveness and policy outcomes.

I have chaired various expert and advisory groups, including on corporate and business law and on financial regulation and have been involved for many years in focussing on UK competitiveness. I currently chair the Legal Services Group of TheCityUK, the body representing UK financial and professional services, and am also a member of TheCityUK's Leadership Council.