James Morrison is the Director Healthy Planet in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation since September 2025. He co-chairs the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, is the chair of the €1 billion public-private partnership Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking Governing Board and holds the chairmanship of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, among others.
Prior to that from July 2021 he was Director of the Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board and before that Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Security Union. From November 2014, he was Policy Director in the Secretariat-General covering a portfolio including research, international trade, counter terrorism, cyber security, the digital single market, migration and development. From November 2009, James was the Chief of Staff of the first EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice President of the European Commission and played a central role in the establishment of the European External Action Service. He was Head of Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Trade in 2009. Before joining the European Commission, James was a British diplomat for 20 years and is an experienced multilateral negotiator with extensive EU and diplomatic experience. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2015 New Year’s Honours.