James Sherwood

James B. Sherwood (born August 8, 1933 in New Castle, Pennsylvania) is an American-born, British-based businessman.

Early life

Sherwood grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and earned a degree in economics from Yale University. Sherwood learned about shipping first in the U.S. Navy, spending three years as a cargo officer, and then working for U.S. Lines and CTI for six years.

Business career

In 1965, Sherwood founded Bermuda-based, New York Stock Exchange listed, London-headquartered shipping company Sea Containers Ltd with initial capital of $100,000. Over forty years Sherwood expanded Sea Containers from a supplier of leased cargo containers, into various shipping companies, as well as expanding the company into luxury hotels and railway trains, including the Venice-Simplon Orient Express and the Great North Eastern Railway franchise from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Although valued with a net worth of £60million in the 2004 Sunday Times Rich List, as Sea Containers hit financial troubles, he resigned as Co-Chief Executive Officer from each of his companies in 2006.. He continued as a Director of Orient Express Hotels Ltd until retiring on 9 June 2011. He is now designated as Founder and Chairman Emeritus.

Personal life

Sherwood's wife is writer and botanist Shirley Sherwood.