A former Dean of Bradford is preparing for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Very Reverend David Ison was installed as Dean of St Paul’s in May 2012 after serving in Bradford for seven years.

The Queen, former cabinet members and world leaders are among the 2,000 people invited to Baroness Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday, as well as celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Canon Sam Corley worked with Dr Ison at Bradford Cathedral and said he was a team player who would be supported by, and working with, those around him.

Canon Corley said Dr Ison would be welcoming dignitaries and the royal family at the service and would do a welcome at the start.

“It’s involved a lot of time and energy. Plans have been made over a number of years, speaking with Baroness Thatcher and the rest of the family.

“It’s not been scrambled together in the last week or so, so it’s about putting those plans in action,” Canon Corley said.

Dr Ison led the Queen’s Diamond jubilee service at St Paul’s shortly after he moved to London.

Canon Corley said Dr Ison’s involvement was “great for Bradford” and the Dean’s experiences in the city were important to him and his work in London.

Dr Ison was born and raised in Essex and trained for ordination at St John’s College, Nottingham. He has served in Southwark, Coventry and Exeter and became Dean of Bradford in 2005, with the task of rebuilding the cathedral’s ministry and mission, where he served until his move to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Dr Ison’s wife, Hilary, is also an ordained priest and works for the Church of England’s Ministry Division.

Speaking in March 2012, the father-of-four said the appointment to St Paul’s was “unexpected.”