James joined Trinity Mirror in 1999 and has been deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror for eight years.
James said: "I am thrilled to have been given this new challenge. The People is a great Sunday newspaper with a long and proud history and I very much look forward to working with the team during this exciting time for the group."
Mark Hollinshead, Managing Director, Trinity Mirror Nationals, said: "I'm delighted to announce James' appointment. He is a highly-talented and experienced journalist who will bring his natural journalistic flair and drive to the role.
"The People continues to deliver a resilient circulation performance against cut-price competitors and I'm confident that James is the right man to take the title forward."
James started his career at South West News Service in Bristol before moving to The Sun. He joined the Mirror in 1999, working as a showbiz reporter, before moving to The People as Deputy News Editor. James moved to the Sunday Mirror as News Editor and was then appointed Deputy Editor in 2004.
