Deputy Director for International Marine Environment, Defra

Continuing Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

James was previously Deputy Director, Home Office and Head of Plant and Bee Health Policy, Defra

James Smith joined the Civil Service Fast Stream in 2002, completing a variety of postings across the Ministry of Defence – including policy support to peacekeeping and counter proliferation operations, and the delivery of equipment and change programmes to support overseas operations – before joining the Home Office in 2007.

Roles in the Home Office included support to the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, a leading role in the development of UK domestic security strategy and reviews relating to aviation and emergency service interoperability. His most recent post was Head of a multi-million pound science and technology programme, overseeing the delivery of research to support security and policing.

James holds a First Class BSc in Zoology from Durham University and is studying for a Masters at Edinburgh University in his spare time. His passion for science and the environment has led to expeditions to Namibia and Nepal (including Everest Base Camp), with future plans to join an environmental research team for a short expedition to the high mountains of Kyrgyzstan.