Chief Executive, Friends of the British Overseas Territories
James Lunn
James Lunn
James was appointed Chief Executive of Friends of the British Overseas Territories in March 2025, having previously served the organisation as Head of Finance and Governance. As Chief Executive, he works closely with the Board of Trustees and senior team in leading the organisation’s strategic direction, public affairs and external engagement, including its relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, representatives of the Overseas Territories, community organisations, the media and other stakeholders.
A central part of FOTBOT’s work concerns the constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories. Under James’s leadership, the organisation has continued to emphasise the importance of self-determination, democratic representation and the principle that the people of each Territory should remain central to decisions concerning their political and constitutional future.
Chagos Islands
The proposed transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago from the United Kingdom to Mauritius has become a significant area of FOTBOT’s work.
Working with the Trustees, senior team, Chagossian representatives and other stakeholders, James has helped lead FOTBOT’s response to the proposed agreement and the organisation’s wider engagement on the future of the islands.
FOTBOT has raised concerns about the implications of the agreement for the Chagossian community and, in particular, the extent to which Chagossians have been able to participate meaningfully in decisions concerning the future of their homeland.
The organisation’s work has focused on the principle of self-determination, the rights and interests of the Chagossian people and the wider constitutional precedent created when decisions concerning a British Overseas Territory are taken without the direct consent of the people most affected.
FOTBOT has also highlighted the strategic and long-term implications of changes to the status of the islands and continues to engage with Chagossian representatives, parliamentarians and other organisations seeking greater scrutiny of the proposed arrangements.
James has contributed to the organisation’s public and political engagement on Chagos and, alongside other FOTBOT representatives, has provided commentary on the issue where appropriate.
The wider British Overseas Territories
Beyond Chagos, James leads FOTBOT’s engagement on political and constitutional developments affecting the wider British Overseas Territories, working closely with the Trustees and wider leadership team.
The organisation’s recent work has included issues concerning Gibraltar and its relationship with the United Kingdom and European Union, as well as broader questions of UK policy towards the Overseas Territories, constitutional autonomy, representation and the protection of the right of individual Territories to determine their own future.
Under James’s leadership, FOTBOT continues to develop its engagement with parliamentarians across the political spectrum. The organisation maintains a non-partisan approach and seeks to ensure that the Overseas Territories remain properly represented and understood within Westminster and wider UK public debate.
A further priority has been to broaden public understanding of the Territories beyond individual political disputes. FOTBOT’s work encompasses education, events, public engagement, cultural awareness and the development of stronger links between people in the United Kingdom and communities across the Overseas Territories.
A key objective is to ensure that the Territories are understood not simply through the prism of foreign policy or geopolitics, but as distinct communities with their own histories, identities, institutions and constitutional relationships with the United Kingdom.
Professional background
Alongside his work with Friends of the British Overseas Territories, James has held senior executive and leadership roles across financial services, governance, regulation and organisational management.
His professional experience includes senior positions within international financial services and the private sector, where he has advised Boards and senior executives on governance, regulatory strategy, risk oversight and complex decision-making. In parallel with his regulatory and compliance experience, James has served in executive capacities with broader responsibility for finance, governance, organisational strategy, operations and business development.
He has also served on senior governance and advisory committees, including within the international investment management sector, giving him experience of decision-making across executive, Board and institutional environments.
This combination of executive leadership, governance and regulatory experience informs his approach to FOTBOT, particularly its strategic direction, organisational development and engagement with government, parliamentarians and other senior stakeholders. Working alongside the Trustees and wider leadership team, he brings a strong emphasis on effective governance, sound decision-making and building credible, long-term institutional relationships.
Approach
James believes that the relationship between the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories should be based on partnership, mutual respect and recognition of the individual circumstances and wishes of each Territory.
At the centre of that relationship, he believes, must be the principle that decisions about the constitutional future of the Territories should not be imposed upon their people and they should be able to exercise their right of self-determination.
As Chief Executive, James works with the Board of Trustees and wider FOTBOT team to strengthen the organisation, broaden its engagement and ensure that it provides a credible and effective voice for greater understanding of the British Overseas Territories within the United Kingdom.
For media enquiries or requests for comment from James Lunn or another FOTBOT spokesperson on matters relating to the British Overseas Territories, please contact Friends of the British Overseas Territories.
Friends of the British Overseas Territories, Registered Charity No 1156763
Friends of the British Overseas Territories is an independent and politically neutral charity. We do not support or endorse any political party or candidate. Only authorised spokespersons may make statements on behalf of the charity, via the charity’s official communications channels. All views otherwise expressed by members or officers should be considered their own.
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered in England and Wales Email: enquiries@fotbot.org
You can write to us at: Friends of the British Overseas Territories, Po Box 2635, Ilford, IG1 8UA
Promoting, Supporting and Increasing Awareness of the UK Overseas Territories
