James Astor Esq. DL

James was born in Sulhamstead and lives in Bucklebury with his wife, Janine.

After leaving the British Army in 1991, he worked with the HALO Trust in Cambodia before moving to Moscow to build an international career in the food and drink industry. In 2008, he transitioned into renewable energy and waste management. Today, James serves as a portfolio chair for several companies involved in the energy transition while also managing his family farm near Bucklebury.

Since 2009, James has chaired the West Berkshire Marriage Guidance Trust, supporting the work of Relate in the district. In 2020, he co-founded the Pang Valley Farming Cluster, which promotes environmental improvement at a landscape scale. He became President of the Newbury and District Agricultural Society in 2024. (He stands down from this role at the end of 2026). During his presidency, he has worked closely with the Society's education team and led a successful fundraising campaign that has enabled it to double its outreach to Berkshire schools, helping children learn about food production, farming, environmental issues and careers in agriculture.

James and Janine have three adult children.