Director General Chief Executive Officer HMPPS

James McEwen

Biography

James McEwen joined the Ministry of Justice in 2016.

He has held a number of roles over that time including Deputy Chief Executive, Legal Aid Agency; and Group Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Ministry, providing leadership across the department鈥檚 professional functions as well as oversight of a number of the department鈥檚 Executive Agencies and Arm鈥檚 Length Bodies. From April 2024 James jointly led the Government Finance Function.

Prior to joining the Ministry of Justice James built extensive experience working in the then Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

James began his Civil Service career in 2002 at the Department for Work and Pensions where he worked in a number of roles across policy, strategy and finance functions.

From October 2025 he has been Director General Chief Executive Officer of HMPPS.

Director General Chief Executive Officer HMPPS

HM Prison and Probation Service

Previous roles in government

  • Joint-Head of the Government Finance Function
    • 2024 to 2025
  • Chief Operating Officer and Director General of COO Group
    • 2020 to 2025