James Nation, OBE

Biography

James Nation began his career at the Confederation of British Industry upon completing his studies at Oxford and the London School of Economics.

He joined the civil service in 2016, beginning at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and later moving over to HM Treasury.

From 2020 to 2022, he served as special advisor to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.

In that role, he worked in Number 11 on a team that developed several budgets, including the March 2021 budget, and the UK Government’s fiscal response to the COVID pandemic.

From 2022 - 2024, he served as Deputy Head of Policy Unit at 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In this role, he helped develop the prime minister’s domestic policy agenda.

For his role handling some of the most difficult issues the Number 10 faced, he was labelled “Sunak’s Problem Solver” by the Guardian.

James Nation led the team responsible for drawing up the Conservative Party Manifesto in the 2024 General Election campaign.

In May 2025, Nation was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list for his public service. 

He is currently Managing Director at Forefront Advisors, an intelligence-led political insights firm. 

He continues to write about political developments in the United Kingdom as well as economic and public policy issues.

Education

M.Sc. Philosophy & Public Policy, London School of Economics

B.A. History, University of Oxford

Political Party

Conservative Party

Positions Held

Deputy Head of Policy Unit at 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (2022 - 2024)

Special Advisor to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (2020 - 2022)

Known As

“Sunak’s Problem Solver”