James began his career in heritage working on the English Heritage Resurvey of Historic Buildings (1984-1986) then becoming Director of Chiltern Open Air Museum (1986-2002) followed by Director of the UK Association of Building Preservation Trusts (2009-2014). As a heritage consultant, he has worked on major buildings across England, including the proposed National Poetry Centre in Leeds, the Palladium Theatre, the Ionic Villa in Regent’s Park and St Mary Le Strand.
He is the author of books (for English Heritage, Chilterns National Landscape) on vernacular materials such as thatch and flint. He is currently researching the biography of father and son architects Charles and Noel Rew; Berkhamsted’s finest architects. Also in Berkhamsted, he led ‘Dead Space to Living Place’, a £1.25m NLHF funded restoration of the neglected Rectory Lane Cemetery, winner in 2021 of the Landscape Institute’s Excellence in Heritage and Culture and Excellence in Community Engagement and awarded a Green Flag annually since.
He is now leading the campaign to save Castle Fields. As James went to School and now lives in Castle Street and attended events at the Castle from a young age, he has a deep personal interest in protecting and enhancing the Castle’s future.
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