James Gilbert

James Gilbert is Director for Corporate Services across Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council, which together form the award-winning South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. He has nearly 25 years' experience in local government leading transformation, organisational change and service improvement at scale.

James is a passionate advocate for modern, innovative models of public service delivery and has extensive experience of operating across complex shared service and partnership environments. His portfolio includes Digital and ICT, HR and Organisational Development, Transformation, Performance, Corporate Policy and Communications, giving him a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing local authorities as they seek to transform services whilst maintaining financial sustainability.

Part of James's role is as Client Lead for Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS), one of the UK's longest-established and most successful local authority trading companies. Acting on behalf of the shareholder councils, he works at the interface between client and company, helping to shape strategy, drive performance and ensure the business continues to deliver both commercial value and high-quality public services.

James has played a leading role in developing collaborative service models across multiple councils and is particularly interested in how local authority trading companies can balance commercial success with public purpose, supporting councils to build capacity, improve outcomes and respond to increasing financial pressures. Alongside his corporate leadership responsibilities, James is the Returning Officer for South Holland District Council, with responsibility for the delivery of local and national elections.