Profiles

Elizabeth Hirst ACR FRSA
Principal Conservator

Accredited member of the Institute of Conservation
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Following many years of training in medieval wall painting and stone conservation, Elizabeth became a senior conservator within the Eve Baker Trust. She subsequently founded Hirst Conservation in 1986 and manages a multi-disciplined organisation encompassing a wide range of skills and technical expertise.

Elizabeth’s key responsibilities are:

• Historic building consultancy
• Project management
• Liaising with clients and architects
• Providing conservation advice and expertise on architectural features and specialist building works, including sculpture, stonework, marble, stucco, wall paintings and plasters
• Ensuring compliance with architectural directives to maintain project integrity
• Implementation of Hirst Conservation’s Health and Safety policy
• Ensuring Hirst Conservation remains up-to-date with current conservation practices
• Giving talks and papers on research/ case studies

Publications

• M. Tutton, E. A. Hirst and J.Pearce (2007), ‘Windows: History, Repair and Conservation’, Donhead Publications
• E. Hirst, K. Morrissey & A. Thornton (2006), ‘Cardiff Castle Clock Tower, Architectural Paint Research and Recreation of William Burges’ Polychromy and Design’, Journal of Architectural Conservation, Volume 12, No 2
• E. Hirst, (2002), ‘Limewashes and Distempers’, The Building Conservation Directory
• E. Hirst, (1999), ‘Conference Papers, Lessons of History: The Practical Use of Historic Resource - The Traquair Wallpaintings at St Peter’s Church, Clayworth Diocese of Southwell’, Council for the Care of Churches, National Conference, Nottingham University 7th and 10th September
• G. Boffey and E. Hirst (1999) ‘The Use of Pozzolans in Lime Mortars’, Journal of Architectural Conservation, Volume 5, Issue 3
• E. Hirst (1998), ‘Paint Removal’ Heritage magazine, issue 14
• I Bristow, E Hirst, N Warns (199) ‘Surrey House, Norwich: The Repair of an Edwardian Building’ ASCHB translations
• P. Austin and E. Hirst, (1991), ‘The conservation of English Domestic Wallpaintings and the Gainsborough Old Hall Murals’, Gainsborough Old Hall Occasional Papers, Lincolnshire History and Archaeology number 8, Lincolnshire history and archaeology

Paul D’Armada
Senior Conservation Analyst

BSc (hons) Earth Sciences/ Physics (1971-1975)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (1976)

Paul has worked as a conservation analyst for Hirst Conservation for over twenty years, developing a unique understanding of conservation and materials science through his work and research. As well as being responsible for laboratory analysis and the manufacture of traditional paints, Paul is also a skilled conservator, with particular interests in stone, plaster and decorative surfaces.

Paul’s key skills are:

• Fine art and stone conservation
• Undertaking research on methods and materials relating to conservation science
• On-site management and supervision of projects
• Analysis of historic paint and mortar samples
• Provision of advice relating to specialist paint/mortar compositions for historic buildings
• Reproduction of historic building mortars and paints to specific requirements
• Advising on historic building conservation methodologies
• Evaluating new conservation methods
• Writing papers on research/case studies

Karen Morrisey ACR
Senior Paint Researcher and Project Manager

Accredited member of the Institute of Conservation
PgDip Conservation Science (2004)
BA (Hons) Conservation and Restoration (1996)

Karen Morrissey joined Hirst Conservation in 1997, as a conservator specialising in stone. Since this time she has developed the architectural paint research department and also has a particular interest in the conservation of painted decoration and associated research. Karen has acquired accreditation status and is now the senior historic paint researcher for the company.

Karen’s key skills are:

• Historic paint research

•  Documentation, including condition surveys, treatment reports and estimates. Specialist photography, including microscopic in visible and ultraviolet light

•  Giving talks and papers on research/case studies

•  Project managing

•  Advising on art and historic building conservation methodologies, both within the company and to external agencies

Tim Pretty
Contracts Manager

Tim Pretty joined Hirst Conservation in 2000, specialising in the conservation of masonry, earth walling and plaster works. Since joining he has become a key member of the Hirst team, with training and experience in the use of laser technology and specialised survey equipment for conservation applications.

Tim’s key responsibilities and skills are:

• Project management
• Costing of new projects for tender submissions
• On-site management and supervision of projects
• Client liaison
• Management of project budgets
• Management of manpower to meet project timescales
• Offering specifications and consultancy for a wide range of conservation disciplines, although principally relating to repair and conservation of historic plaster, structures and stone surfaces
• Assisting with company procedures and reporting to company partners
• Providing action plans to ensure implementation of best practice conservation methods
• Specialising in stone and plaster conservation disciplines
• Evaluating new conservation methods
• Reproducing historic building mortars to specific requirements

Sabina Van De Bruck (née Cheba)
Senior Stone Conservator

Diploma Degree in wall paintings and stone objects (1994-1999)
Work Placement- Department of Restoration and Conservation of Wall Paintings and stone objects (1991-1994)
Practical training in stone masonry and sculpting (1989-1991)

Sabina specialises in the conservation and restoration of wall paintings, plaster and stone objects, and has published several papers in the field. She has gained wide-ranging experience through involvement in diverse national and international projects and is currently working towards her accreditation.

Sabina’s Key skills are:

• Project management and supervision of staff

• Liaison with clients

• Providing a full range of professional and practical conservation skills and services

• Conducting condition surveys and laboratory examination

• Producing computer based assessments and documentation

• Writing papers on research/case studies

Publications

• Wermuth, J.A., Schuller, M, Cheba S., (2001), ‘Stabilisation of the Pulaski Monument’, Structural Faults and Repairs Conference 2001, University of Edinburgh

• Brüggerhoff St., Cheba, S., Leisen, H., Warscheid, T. (1999), ‘Carbonate Crusts on Marble Fragments at the Excavation Site in Milet, Turkey: Examination of Crust Formation and First Results of a Cleaning Concept’, ICOM Committee for Conservation, 12th Triennial Meeting, Lyon, 29/08-03/09/99, James & James London, pp 731-736

• Brüggerhoff St., Cheba, S., Leisen, H., Warscheid, T. (1999), Untersuchungen zur Krustenbildung auf Marmoroberflächen in Milet’, Archäologischer Anzeiger 1 pp 99-108

Alison Aynesworth ACR
Senior Paintings Conservator

Accredited member of the Institute of Conservation
MA Conservation of Fine Art (1997)
BA (Hons) History of Art

Alison is the senior easel paintings conservator at Hirst Conservation and has been with the company since May 2000. During this time, through on site experience and research, Alison has become a key member of the easel and wall painting conservation team. She specialises in condition surveys, recording, preventive and remedial conservation and gained accreditation status in 2008. Prior to her employment with Hirst, Alison spent four years working for museums and private studios as an easel painting conservator.

Alison’s Key skills are:

•  Conservation of easel and wall paintings

•  Project management

•  Specialising in the conservation of painted decoration

•  Giving talks and papers on research/case studies

•  Assisting with paint research

•  Documentation and recording

Rhiannon Clarricoates
Senior Paintings Conservator

MA Conservation of Fine Art (2004)
BA (hons) Conservation and Restoration (2002)

Rhiannon has been a key member of Hirst Conservation since 2004, specialising in the conservation of easel paintings and decorative surfaces. She is instrumental in the management of Hirst's easel paintings studio, and has gained further conservation expertise through involvement with on-site projects.

Before joining Hirst Conservation, Rhiannon completed internships in both the public and private sector, including The Royal Collection. Rhiannon is currently working towards accredited status.

Rhiannon's key skills are:

•  Conservation of easel paintings, wall paintings and decorative surfaces

•  Historic and architectural paint research

•  Project management and

•  Heading new enquiries and pricing tenders

•  Archival research

•  Conservation of gilded surfaces

•  The collation and writing of condition, treatment and technical reports
  

Debbie Reynolds (Company Administrator)
Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate (HSE Approved)