James is an architecturally trained building conservator specialising in sustainability and recording of the historic built environment. He is currently a senior academic in sustainability at the University College of Estate Management. Previously a senior lecturer in the sustainability of the existing built environment at Kingston University, teaching on the Building Surveying, architecture and historic building conservation courses. Currently, James is the Vice-President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability (ICOMOS ISCES). He is also on the ICOMOS UK National Scientific Committee on Digital Heritage and ICOMOS UN Sustainable Development Goals Working Group. James was made a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2010 for work on the sustainability of the built environment and published widely on sustainability, health, and conservation issues. James is also an expert reviewer for Routledge and the Journal of Architectural Conservation.