James is the fourth generation of the Gibraltar based Gaggero family, to have chaired the Bland Group. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 1979 and following a Short Service Commission with the British Army started his career with the Group in 1982. At first, James joined the Aviation and Travel division before taking this over in 1985. He became the company’s Managing Director in 1987 and Chairman in 1997. He was appointed Chairman of the Rock Hotel in 1992, Cadogan Holidays in 1995 and the Group’s airline, GB Airways in 2003.