James Odling-Smee is Director of Communications for London Councils a cross party organisation representing the 32 London boroughs and the City of London. London Councils provides a range of services on behalf of the London boroughs, including the Freedom Pass, as well as lobbying government for the powers and resources to enable the boroughs to better serve their communities, residents and businesses. He has been at London Councils for eight years. 

Before joining London Councils James was an interim Director at a wide range of public service organisations including the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, South Down National Park, Camden and Luton Councils. 

James started his career as a journalist working for Third Sector magazine before moving into local government communications at Hackney Council and then the Local Government Information Unit. He was Head of Corporate Communications at Hertfordshire County Council from 2001 to 2005.