Exterior view of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Image credit Chris Ison

Foundation information

This page provides information about The Edward James Foundation Limited, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. The Foundation was established in 1964 and is comprised of: 

  • West Dean College
  • West Dean Gardens

Registered address:

The Edward James Foundation Limited
West Dean
Nr Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ

Our charity number is: 1126084
Our company number is: 06689362

The West Dean Gardens Shop and Restaurant are part of: 

  • West Dean Limited

Registered address:

West Dean Limited
West Dean
Nr Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ

Company number: 01363911

Board of Trustees

The members of the Board of Trustees are:

  • Professor Paul O'Prey CBE, Chair
  • Caroline Griffith
  • Professor Nigel Llewellyn PhD FSA
  • Francis Plowden FCA
  • Mike McCart
  • Martin Ashley MVO RIBA
  • Naomi Davenport
  • Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr
  • Kevin Edgeley CFA
  • Yen-Yen Teh RIBA

Read more about our trustees

Diversity and Anti-Racism

We passionately believe that every arts education organisation should ensure that its work draws on and reflects the full range of backgrounds and perspectives to be found in our society. A diversity of voices, perspectives and experiences, enriches creative practice and is vital in a flourishing, inclusive arts community.

To achieve this at West Dean College, we must exercise strong leadership with a strategy and a workforce that reflects this diversity. We must reinforce our commitment to improving and expanding access and participation in the creative and applied arts, recognising that opportunity does not readily exist for everyone.

Read our full Diversity and Anti-Racism Statement.

As of July 2021, the Edward James Foundation agreed to formally adopt the IHRA's working definition of anti-semitism. The working definition can be found here.

Statement in Support of the Transgender & Non-binary Communities

West Dean is dedicated to promoting equality and diversity in all its manifestations, including our support of the transgender and non-binary communities within our institution. We aim to foster an environment where all students, staff, volunteers and guests can feel seen, valued and safe to express themselves.

We at both West Dean and Chelsea Harbour campuses respect people’s right to self-identify. We will affirm this by using people’s chosen names and correct pronouns, regardless of if they decide to transition or where they are in their transition journey. We support transgender and non-binary people using the restrooms that align with their gender identities and are working towards providing gender neutral restrooms, some of which have already been established in the Carrington Studio.

We do not tolerate harassment or bullying at West Dean or Chelsea Harbour campuses, whether stemming from staff or students. This extends to transphobic behaviour, ranging from intentional misgendering or deadnaming to outright hate speech. We will condemn this type of behaviour and work towards a safer environment for the transgender and non-binary communities on our campuses.

We commit to being open to feedback if there are better ways of serving our students, staff, volunteers or guests to ensure a welcoming and affirming experience.

We recognise that not everyone has a strong understanding of the transgender and non-binary communities, so have collated additional resources for those who would like to learn more about the experiences of transgender and non-binary people and why this support is necessary below.

Terminology:
https://www.gires.org.uk/resources/terminology/

Understanding Pronouns:
https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why

Disclaimer:
Links to external third-party websites are provided to help you find information that may be relevant, quickly and easily. West Dean College of Arts & Conservation does not endorse or guarantee in any way the external organisations, services, advice, or products included in these external website links, nor does the College control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of the information contained in them. These links are provided solely as a service for information and convenience and the College does not control, approve, or endorse these sites or the information contained therein.
If you access (or provide information to) any of the external websites linked to on the website, you do so entirely at your own risk and the College accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that you may suffer as a result.
Nothing in the website is intended to be a substitute for formal legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.