James Max

James Max was a semi-finalist on the first series of the British version of "The Apprentice" television programme. [http://jamesmax.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=27] He is a Reading University graduate in Land Management. He was awarded a First Class BSc Honours degree in 1992Fact|date=June 2008, is a qualified Chartered SurveyorFact|date=June 2008 and had notable career in business, finance and propertyFact|date=June 2008.

Pre "Apprentice"

Born in London in May 1970, James is the youngest of four brothers. Richard Max is a specialist-planning lawyer. Edward Max, an actor and Director of the Frinton on Sea summer repertory theatre and Robert Max, a cellist. Robert has had a notable career, touring across the world as part of the renowned piano trio, The Barbican Piano Trio [http://www.barbicanpianotrio.com]

James went to St Paul’s School in London and left in July 1988 with three “A” Levels. In October 1989, he went to the University of Reading and in 1992 graduated with a First Class BSc Honours degree in Land Management. He joined DTZ, the leading firm of property advisors to undertake his professional training to become a Chartered Surveyor. He passed his APC in 1994 and become MRICS. In 1995 he became an Associate Director and in 1997, was promoted to directorFact|date=June 2008.

Whilst at DTZ, he worked with Rob Andrew, the former England fly half, in the international investment team. In 1998, he left the firm to join Morgan Stanley, the US investment bank. He worked on a range of projects including the £1.54 billion securitisation of British Land’s Broadgate office scheme in the City of London and the successful defence and subsequent property restructuring for Marks and Spencer plcFact|date=June 2008.

In 2001 he became a principal of Doughty Hanson & Co’s real estate fund. This secretive private equity house is one of Europe’s leading fund managers and James headed up the UK team for its property fund.Fact|date=June 2008 He left the firm in August 2004 to become a candidate on BBC2’s The Apprentice.

"The Apprentice"

James was a semi-finalist in the first series of The Apprentice as screened on BBC2. He was a project manager three times during the show. He was on the winning team more than any candidate in the history of the show to date, winning eight out of a possible ten tasks. A feat which has been recently matched by Lucinda Ledgerwood.

He was “fired” by Sir Alan Sugar in the interview round (episode 11). It is rumoured that in the edit the order of firing was changed as James, in effect, came third and not fourth as portrayed in the final version screened in May 2005.Fact|date=June 2008

Post "Apprentice"

Since taking part on the show, James has redefined his career. He is now represented by Sue Ayton at Knight Ayton alongside such national figures as Sir Trevor McDonald, Michael Buerk, Justin & Colin and Jennie BondFact|date=August 2008.

He now writes, broadcasts on radio and TV and is an investor and Head of Corporate Communications in a new estate agency business [http://www.wow-property.com Online Estate Agent: Wow Property] .

LBC 97.3

Since May 2006 he has presented a weekly business show on LBC Radio. Called “Business Matters” that runs from 1700 to 1900 on Sundays.

He writes a weekly blog and has a show page on the LBC 97.3 site. The show covers a wide range of business areas and regularly has guests from the business world and farmers. Including Trevor Bayliss, Simon Woodroffe, Matt Hermer, Tim Campbell, Saira Khan, Margaret Mountford and Sir James Dyson.He has also regularly reviewed the newspapers on LBC 97.3’s sister station, LBC News 1152. In July 2006 he co-hosted "The Morning Report" with Sue Mansfield.

In October 2007, James started a 10 week run of a new Saturday show called "The Finer Things in Life" which aired, live, every Saturday night on the station between 5 and 6pm.

Since January 2008, James has presented the "Early Breakfast Show" from 5 - 7am on Fridays and 6 - 8am on Saturdays. He regularly covers for presenters such as James O'Brien and Jeni Barnett

He has appeared as a pundit with Paul Ross, Jenny Eclair and was a regular caller on Iain Lee’s “Good Evening”. Rumour has it, that it was he, during triple m, that first aired the track Swinging LondonFact|date=June 2008.

From April 19th 2008 he will be presenting the Saturday Morning Show from 11am until 2pm on the station. From May 2008 it ran from 10:00-13:00 (Originally it was to run from 10:00-14:00.)

TalkSPORT

James has presented the weekday Business Update on TalkSPORT since April 2006. He has sat alongside a range of presenters, including Paul Breen Turner, Rodney Marsh, Micky Quinn, Adrian Durham and Ian Wright.

From January to March, James presented his own Saturday evening show on the station and has regularly filled in for their non sports presenters Mike Mendoza, Ian Collins and George Galloway.

Overseas Property TV

The station, which broadcasts on channel 287 on Sky. James has been a regular panellist on “Ask The Property Experts” and co-presents "Property Pensions" with Sian Jones, "Profit from Property" with Tris Payne and "Property Boot Camp"

Property Week

James writes a monthly lifestyle column for the magazine entitled "Something for the Weekend". A look at what’s hot and what’s not for this publication which circulates throughout the commercial property industry.Fact|date=June 2008

Corporate work

James has been involved with Shell Step and in 2007 hosted the final of the Shell Step Awards in London. He has spoken at numerous events across the country including the Business Startup Exhibition at London’s Olympia, where he hosted two interactive sessions for Lloyds TSB.Fact|date=June 2008

Other TV work

James appeared on two episodes of "The Morning After Show" hosted by Simon Amstell and Olivia Lee. On "BBC Breakfast" and more recently on E4, where he provided a business report for each episode of the spin off show, for Harvey Goldsmith’s "Get Your Act Together", presented by "News of the World" TV columnist, Ian Hyland. He also made some short films for BBC2’s "Working Lunch" programme including a feature on Aston Martin.

References

James Max presenter page on LBC’s website [http://www.lbc.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=13358]