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 Project Development

 

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)

Head of Decorative Arts

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.

 

 Mirella McGee

Mirella McGee

Houghton Workshop Manager

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

I believe that collaborative working, aligning attitudes and clear allocation of roles within your team, with each individual committing to the group effort, is what makes a team work and a project operate successfully. There is no doubt that having the right team around you on a project will breed success.

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.

Laura Pomana-Jackson

Laura Pomana-Jackson

Project Manager – Architectural Projects

 
 A passion for protecting historic buildings

 

My broad and diverse background, education and work experience in architecture and conservation have reinforced my passion for protecting historic buildings for future generations. I take pride in organising and being part of a skilled team to carry out this important work to some of the Uk’s most prestigious buildings. 

News

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

Prestigious award for Reading’s Abbey Gateway Hugh Faringdon Carving

Prestigious award for Reading’s Abbey Gateway Hugh Faringdon Carving

Reading Abbey Gateway Hugh Faringdon carved head received a prestigious national award last week at The Stone Federation of Great ... Read more

Christ Church Chapter House Wins Oxford Preservation Trust Award

Christ Church Chapter House Wins Oxford Preservation Trust Award

Certificate Winner within the Building Conservation category. Read more

We are speaking at the Traditional Paint Forum Annual Conference 2022

We are speaking at the Traditional Paint Forum Annual Conference 2022

Alexandra Miller is joining Katherine Carey, Project Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine, to talk about the restoration of Elizabeth Tower. Read more

New members of the team

New members of the team

We are increasing our workforce with experienced heritage masons, plasterers and conservators to work on a number of secured projects. Read more

Lime Training Day at Reading Abbey Ruins

Lime Training Day at Reading Abbey Ruins

Stone Federation Partners with Cliveden Conservation to deliver a Lime Training Day at Reading Abbey Ruins Last month we partnered ... Read more

Journal of Building Survey features Wells Cathedral pilot study

Journal of Building Survey features Wells Cathedral pilot study

Wells Cathedral West Front pilot study: Setting the tone for appraisal and repair strategies Read more

Restoring the rare medieval undercroft at Dunstable’s Priory House

Restoring the rare medieval undercroft at Dunstable’s Priory House

Cliveden Conservation is working alongside Messenger and The Morton Partnership to carry out restoration work to the medieval ... Read more

Five reasons why Winter Covers protect statues

Five reasons why Winter Covers protect statues

How do you protect outdoor sculpture? Our specialist Winter Covers are the best solution to protect garden statues from cracks, ... Read more

Conservation team builds with new stone mason

Conservation team builds with new stone mason

Fully qualified stonemason, Samantha Peacock, is our newest member of the conservation team. She joins the Bath Workshop working on ... Read more

Sponsors of the Women in Natural Stone event

Sponsors of the Women in Natural Stone event

We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the Stone Federation’s first Women in Natural Stone (WINS) networking event on 15th June 2022. Read more

Lime mortar training

Lime mortar training

The Vice Chairman of The Friends of Ketts Heights said we provided an excellent introduction both the technical aspects of lime ... Read more