James Chapman
jamesmchapman.bsky.social
James Chapman
@jamesmchapman.bsky.social
CEO of PR firm Soho Communications. Former director of comms at HM Treasury. Former political editor, occasional columnist for @cityam.bsky.social. Views my own. www.sohocommunications.co.uk
Happy New Year!
May 2026 bring you every happiness.

Χρόνια Πολλά
January 1, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Reposted by James Chapman
Less than a third of Britons think that Brexit was the right decision
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
December 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A wonderful, moving extended BBC interview with Reed boss James Reed on the career and legacy of his father Sir Alec Reed, who died this month.
It’s a privilege for Soho Comms to work with @biggive.bsky.social, the charity Sir Alec founded, and on the PhilCo movement.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC Radio 5 Live - Wake Up to Money, Sir Alec Reed
James Reed reflects on the life of his father, Sir Alec Reed, founder of Reed Group
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The best story you’ll read this Christmas.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Cardiff couple invited man in for Christmas, he stayed for 45 years
An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.
www.bbc.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
If you’re sick of overplayed Christmas chart tunes and fancy something alternative, give my annual festive indie playlist a spin. This year featuring Sufjan Stevens, Tori Amos, Phoebe Bridgers, Thea Gilmore, The Lemon Twigs, Bright Eyes, Lumineers.
Happy Christmas!

open.spotify.com/playlist/6IA...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As I’ve said before, the omertà may finally be broken but the UK’s main parties are way, way behind the electorate on the disaster of Brexit. Given it is the single “achievement” of Farage’s career, it also represents the best line of attack against Reform.
December 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
It’s that time of year: here’s my annual indie Christmas playlist for those who crave some alternative festive tunes. Featuring @theagilmore.bsky.social @toriamos.bsky.social Sufjan Stevens @thelumineersmusic.bsky.social Phoebe Bridgers and more. Happy Christmas!

open.spotify.com/playlist/6IA...
A Very Soho Christmas 2025
open.spotify.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
There is now an estimated majority of 8.1 million among the British electorate for rejoining the EU. Tick tock.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ex-pol...
Pro-Brexit Majority Of 2016 'Has Literally Died Out', Polling Expert Reveals
The founder of YouGov said there is now an 8.1 million majority in favour of rejoining the EU.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
@biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has raised an incredible, record-breaking £57.4m in seven days, making it the UK's biggest public fundraiser for the second year running. Everyone at Soho Comms has loved playing a part in spreading the word about the power of match funding.
December 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Pleased to share some personal news: I'm delighted to have been appointed as CEO of Soho Comms.

www.prweek.co.uk/article/1942...
Soho Communications names CEO
Soho Communications has announced its new chief executive, who takes the reins from founder and former principal shareholder of Bell Pottinger, James Henderson.
www.prweek.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
There is just over an hour left of this year's @biggive.bsky.social Christmas Challenge, which has grown to become the UK's biggest fundraiser. You can choose any of 1,589 charities to support and have your money DOUBLED. Please consider supporting the campaign if you haven't yet.
www.biggive.org
Big Give
Big Give – discover campaigns and donate
www.biggive.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
My first time seeing Thea Gilmore, a singer I’ve loved for years, live tonight at St Pancras Old Church, a magical venue for her folk tunes. Her voice was even more special live than on record. Rise was my favourite song; there was also a great Cohen cover @theagilmore.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 11:09 PM
WOW!
@biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has raised £10m in less than 4 hours today.
Soho Comms is thrilled to be part of this amazing campaign - now the UK's biggest public fundraiser.
Donate by Dec 9 to any of 1,589 charities taking part and have your money doubled.

www.biggive.org
Big Give
Big Give – discover campaigns and donate
www.biggive.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
@biggive.bsky.social's Christmas Challenge has grown to be the UK's biggest fundraiser. As ever, it's a privilege to be involved in spreading the word. From noon today, and for the following 7 days, you can give to any of 1,589 charities and have your money DOUBLED

fundraising.co.uk/2025/12/02/b...
Big Give Christmas Challenge launches with record 1,589 charities
Discover the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025, the largest UK fundraising campaign, with donations doubled from 2 to 9 December.
fundraising.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Boris Johnson described HMT's “doom-laden” predictions as a “hoax” and “just not credible”. Farage attacked Cameron and Osborne for feeding the public “a constant diet of lies". In fact, it transpires, HMT's Brexit forecasts weren't nearly negative enough.

yorkshirebylines.co.uk/opinion/brex...
Brexit: the trillion pound ‘mistake’
The recent NBER report suggests the Treasury’s 2016 analysis – slammed by Brexiters as a ‘hoax’– actually understated the impact of Brexit
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by James Chapman
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:

Tori Amos
Fleetwood Mac
Father John Misty
Kate Bush
Sufjan Stevens
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen.

The Cure
Tori Amos
Bjork
The Creatures
Andreas Vollenweider
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen

Duran Duran
Thompson Twins
The Cure
Tears For Fears
Elvis Costello
November 27, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Brexit is now costing the UK £90bn a year in lost tax revenue. Analysis by the House of Commons library also shows the average Brit has seen a hit of between £2,700 and £3,700. That's why taxes are at an all-time high. Brexit is simply untenable.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Brexit costing UK up to £90bn in lost tax revenue , new analysis shows
Exclusive: Britons also up to £3,700 worse off, leading to calls for the Labour government to improve relations with the EU
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
One-off injection ‘gives heart failure patients their life back’: great to work with the Heart Cells Foundation and St Barrholomew’s Hospital in London to spread the word of this incredible British medical breakthrough.

www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
One-off injection ‘gives heart failure patients their life back’
The new stem cell treatment, pioneered in a London hospital, has shown remarkable results and is one clinical trial away from roll-out across the NHS
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by James Chapman
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN CONGRESS should be pressed about Trump calling for their colleagues to be killed
Insanity
November 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by James Chapman
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
Insanity
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Good to work with DG of @nationaltrust.org.uk Hilary McGrady on this piece pushing back on the exhausting anti-nature rhetoric which has entered the political mainstream. Hilary will be on Times Radio shortly to discuss it further.

www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
For the love of bats, we need to change this anti-nature rhetoric
For some in politics, it seems, conservation serves only one purpose: to get in the way of progress
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Sir John Major: “Brexiteers predicted other countries would follow their lead and leave the EU. None have. All saw only too clearly that Brexit was packed with disadvantages. As we meet nine further nations now wish to join, which is an apt comment on how the world saw Britain's decision.
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
We’ve heard lots about the impact of inheritance tax changes on family farms, but not the bigger hit to family firms which make up 90% of UK businesses. Many warn if they go ahead as planned, firms will be broken up and sold off to PE or foreign owners.

www.cnbc.com/video/2025/1...
Global Brands CEO: U.K. inheritance tax hike would devastate business
Steve Perez, CEO of Global Brands, discusses the upcoming U.K. budget and how potential changes to inheritance tax would impact family-owned businesses.
www.cnbc.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by James Chapman
Read 'em and weep. (www.nber.org/system/files...)
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM