Jeffrey James West


Rev. Canon Jeffrey James West OBE FSA FRSA is the former Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings, English Heritage. He was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for services to the historic environment. Since 2017 he has been an Honorary Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

Early life

West was born on 15 October 1950, the son of Walter Edward West and Francis Margaret West. He was educated at Bedford Modern School and Worcester College, Oxford.

Career

In 1974 West joined the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate at the Department of the Environment and became an Assistant Inspector and an Inspector. He was then seconded as Principal, Local Government Finance, Department of the Environment and later became Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings at what is now known as English Heritage.
West continued at English Heritage becoming Regional Director of Historic Properties between 1986 and 1997; Director of Conservation Management and Policy Director.
In 2005 he took the decision to train for the priesthood and was ordained in 2008.
In 2012 he was appointed Rural Dean for Deddington in the Episcopal Area of Dorchester. From 2009-14 he was Chairman of the Cotswold Conservation Board.

Honours

West was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2001.

Personal life

West was married in 1987 to Juliet Elizabeth Allan.