About us

© Graham Dash

Our history and founder

Cliveden Conservation was originally founded in 1982 by Trevor Proudfoot for the preservation of the National Trust’s buildings and statuary collections. Trevor was by trade a stonemason who championed the adoption of traditional materials, techniques and craftsmanship in conservation. In 1990 Cliveden Conservation became independent and expanded its services with workshops in Berkshire, Somerset and Norfolk.

30 years on, we are proud to continue our valued association with the National Trust as well as establishing close relationships with many other heritage organisations, architects and private clients. Sadly, Trevor is no longer with us but his son Lewis has taken over at the helm of Cliveden Conservation and is continuing to uphold his father’s legacy.

Our values

Putting best practice at the heart of everything we do, Cliveden Conservation creates sustainable relationships that value buildings, objects, people and their surroundings. Through research and informed decision making, our professional team deliver the most appropriate conservation interventions for your building or object. Our advice prioritises Conservation Philosophy – and does not compromise quality for cost. We are committed to…

Sharing knowledge
Establishing best practice
Pursuing professional development
Protecting the environment

Our Team

Lewis Proudfoot

Lewis Proudfoot

Managing Director

 

Be patient and open to ideas

Conservation work should be pragmatic and closely tied to sustainability. It requires diligence, sensitivity and being receptive to other people’s views. Visiting sites and discussing complex conservation issues with passionate and skilful individuals who share a love of heritage is the favourite part of my job.

Tom Flemons

Tom Flemons

Bath Workshop Manager & Director

 

You never know where work will take you

As part of  an ongoing project I have been very fortunate to have been involved on an archaeological site at Aphrodisias in SW Turkey.  We have worked alongside an international team conserving the statuary and buildings.  A great privilege to work on Roman objects in their original setting.

René Rice

René Rice

Head of Decorative Arts

 

Condition surveys are vital 

Ornamental ceilings, like music, are constructed from an ensemble of elements but also like music, can range in complexity and expression from the simple vernacular to the austere geometry of Classicism or the floridity of the Baroque. Because of these different characteristics, condition surveys are essential.

David Bloxam

David Bloxam

Head of Architectural Projects

 

Hero of the conservation world is John Ashurst

Taking time to understand a project, its materials, history and the people involved is an essential part of conservation. Through communication, patience and a ‘can-do’ attitude I believe most problems can be overcome.  This is why a project should never be rushed.

Berenice Humphreys

Berenice Humphreys

Contracts Manager

 

You never stop learning

There’s always new techniques or even little tips to learn. It’s not just learning from those more senior – many of the tips and new techniques will come from the younger generation. One skill we Conservators have is the ability to think ‘outside the box’ and relish approaching some of the more difficult challenges.

Keith Learoyd

Keith Learoyd

Commercial Manager

 

What conservation means to me

The protection and preservation of our historic buildings, monuments, objects and sculptures by maintaining and repairing for the future. Also managing change to a place of historic interest in a way that sustains or sometimes enhances its importance for many years to come.

Julia Gynn (ACR)

Julia Gynn (ACR)

Conservation Manager (Decorative Arts Section)

An unforgettable moment

The Roman marble statue of a cat from Powis Castle was an exceptional project. The research and treatment led to the successful replication of 18th-century repairs composed of beeswax. With the inspiring project began a thirst for knowledge on the techniques used by the 18th century restorers.

Kris Zykubek (ACR)

Kris Zykubek (ACR)

Senior Conservator (Decorative Arts)

 

A discovery can often led to something much bigger

During conservation works we found a small statue in a private garden which the owners thought was a cheap concrete cast. It was in fact a beautifully carved Italian marble by C19 Florentine artist. The statue was valued around £60K.

 

Ben Newman

Ben Newman

Project Manager (Architectural Projects)

 

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it

It is about preserving our built heritage and respecting the artistry that made it. At the same time conservation needs to strike a balance between the reverence for the past and maintaining current craft skills and allowing those skills to flourish by replacing historic fabric where there is a sound argument.

Jimmy Aitken, MSc

Jimmy Aitken, MSc

Project Manager – Architectural Projects (Wren300 Project Lead)

Action can speak louder than words

Conservation is an endless debate. It’s great to listen but it’s also great to get on with some good, earnest, practical conservation. One of my best moments was hewing a large oak trunk down with axes and side axes and cutting to size with a trestle saw for replacement supporting beams in a medieval timber floor repair. 

News

WREN300 Live Stone Carving Competition 31st May – Friday 2nd June 2023

WREN300 Live Stone Carving Competition 31st May – Friday 2nd June 2023

WREN300 CONSERVATION-IN-ACTION SERIES Live Stone Carving Competition Wednesday 31 May – Friday 2 June 2023 Holy Sepulchre Church, ... Read more

Cliveden Conservation features in new BBC heritage series ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’

Cliveden Conservation features in new BBC heritage series ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’

A new BBC Two and BBC iPlayer series, ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’ features members of the Cliveden Conservation team as it Read more

Mission complete as Apollo lands at Stowe National Trust

Mission complete as Apollo lands at Stowe National Trust

After thirty-three years in the planning and crafting, a brand-new statue of Apollo, created and installed by our Cliveden Conservation Read more

WREN300 Glass Conservation Evening 31st May 2023

WREN300 Glass Conservation Evening 31st May 2023

Glass Conservation Evening: 'The Remarkable People, Places and Processes of Stained Glass Windows' Date: Wednesday 31st May 2023 | ... Read more

WREN300 Plaster Conservation Events 10th & 11th May 2023

WREN300 Plaster Conservation Events 10th & 11th May 2023

As proud partners of WREN300 Cliveden Conservation is delivering a series of conservation workshops (stone, wood, plaster, metal and ... Read more

WREN300 Wood Conservation Events 25th April – 4th May 2023

WREN300 Wood Conservation Events 25th April – 4th May 2023

Wren300 is a tercentenary celebration of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) - Mathematician, Astronomer and one of the country’s most ... Read more

Checking outdoor statuary for winter damage

Checking outdoor statuary for winter damage

Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to check on your valuable garden statuary for any damage caused by the ravages of ... Read more

WREN300 Stone Conservation workshop programme April 2023

WREN300 Stone Conservation workshop programme April 2023

Wren300 is a tercentenary celebration of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) - Mathematician, Astronomer and one of the country’s most ... Read more

Wells’ famous medieval clock restored and ready to spring forward this weekend

Wells’ famous medieval clock restored and ready to spring forward this weekend

Wells Cathedral’s famous external clockface on the North Transept, which was feared to be irreparable if left in its current state, has Read more

Conservation of the Maiwand Lion

Conservation of the Maiwand Lion

Reading Borough Council has appointed Cliveden Conservation to carry out conservation work to Reading’s most iconic monument, the ... Read more

Conservation cleaning of Reading’s treasured monuments

Conservation cleaning of Reading’s treasured monuments

The monuments will be cleaned and where needed, like-for-like conservation repairs will be carried out, thanks to Reading’s High Street Read more

Cliveden Conservation to be part of the Wren300 programme of events

Cliveden Conservation to be part of the Wren300 programme of events

We are delivering a series of Conservation Workshops as one of the projects taking place this year to mark three hundred years since ... Read more