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

A big welcome to our new stone and building restoration expert

A big welcome to our new stone and building restoration expert

We are delighted to announce the appointment of David Bloxam as Project Manager for the Stone Section of the business Read more

Plaster conservation for precious Victorian architectural gem

Plaster conservation for precious Victorian architectural gem

Conservation and repair work to the tower of the Saltaire United Reformed Church (URC) and its internal plaster ceiling is underway. Read more

ICON Talk: Gold shines new light on Elizabeth Tower

ICON Talk: Gold shines new light on Elizabeth Tower

Cliveden Conservation's Senior Project Manager, Alexandra Miller, is delivering a talk 'Gold shines new light on Elizabeth Tower' as ... Read more

Nick Knowles: Heritage Rescue series showcases our work

Nick Knowles: Heritage Rescue series showcases our work

Cliveden Conservation projects have been featured in Nick Knowles: Heritage Rescue, a new series about the restoration of some of ... Read more

Another great year of conservation

Another great year of conservation

It has been another varied year for the team. We have been working on high with Christ and his entourage of apostles and angels at the ... Read more

Berkshire gathering for BLF Conference 2021

Berkshire gathering for BLF Conference 2021

Cliveden Conservation to host a regional hub for the Building Limes Forum (BLF) online conference on Saturday 6th November 2021 at All ... Read more

The people behind Big Ben: Cliveden Conservation

The people behind Big Ben: Cliveden Conservation

Image: ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor We are taking part in the UK Parliament online talk series about the people working to ... Read more

Highly Commended in the Building Crafts Award

Highly Commended in the Building Crafts Award

Excellent design, architecture and craftmanship have been recognised at the 2021 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards. Chairman of the Sussex ... Read more

How to protect sculpture and decorative stonework from weather damage this winter

How to protect sculpture and decorative stonework from weather damage this winter

Lewis Proudfoot, of Cliveden Conservation, discusses the importance of Winter Covers in protecting marble sculpture and decorative ... Read more

We partner with Willesden Jewish Cemetery for Open House Festival 2020

We partner with Willesden Jewish Cemetery for Open House Festival 2020

Our stone specialist Ben Newman will be joining Hester Abrams, Project Leader and Curator for the Willesden Jewish Cemetery’s ‘House ... Read more

Dorset Museum Mosaic reinstallation is shortlisted for Museums + Heritage Awards 2021

Dorset Museum Mosaic reinstallation is shortlisted for Museums + Heritage Awards 2021

The Fordington mosaic, which we lifted, conserved, re-backed for wall mounting at Dorset Museum has been shortlisted for an ... Read more

Conservation work begins to the West Front of Wells Cathedral

Conservation work begins to the West Front of Wells Cathedral

We have begun a pilot programme of conservation work to the much-admired West Front of Wells Cathedral to help safeguard its future. Read more