Mirella McGee joins Cliveden Conservation with five years’ experience in the heritage sector and the successful management of two half-million-pound projects.
As Houghton Workshop Manager, Mirella will cover the East of England to provide architects and custodians of heritage buildings with expert advice and practical conservation treatment of stone and brickwork, plasterwork, and the decorative arts.
Mirella began her career with an apprenticeship in stonemasonry at Canterbury Cathedral. She then went on to gain a First-Class Honours degree in Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management. While studying, Mirella completed an internship with Valiant F A & Son Ltd, which specialises in church restoration. She spent her summer holiday working with Alan Lamb Conservation on the restoration of Lincoln College Chapel, Oxford.
Most recently, Mirella worked as operations manager for Vello Homes, a Norfolk-based housebuilder. Before this, she enjoyed a Site Manager role for Corbel Conservation, where she project-managed conservation works at Tickenham Court, a 14th-century hall, and Dyrham Park, a Grade I listed National Trust property.
Enthusiastic about building conservation, Mirella is an active member of SPAB Norfolk and, in her new role, looks forward to working with heritage organisations and architects in the region. She says:
“Norfolk is rich in historic buildings, which all need the care and maintenance of skilled conservators. As the manager of the Houghton Workshop, I will introduce Cliveden Conservation’s expertise in stonework, plasterwork, and decorative arts to the custodians of these properties. I will put the Houghton Workshop on the map as a centre of excellence in casting with high-profile projects such as the creation of the nine muses for National Trust Stowe in the portfolio.”
Mirella is an avid rower in her spare time, competing at a national level and for the Norwich Rowing Club.