Ben Newman, Architectural Project Manager at Cliveden Conservation and member of The Worshipful Company of Masons, has achieved a significant milestone in his stonemasonry career with the award of the esteemed Master Craftsman’s Certificate.
The Master Certificate Scheme celebrates excellence, encourages career progression and recognises the very highest levels of skill and experience. The scheme is a partnership between City & Guilds and the participating Livery Companies and is organised by the Construction Liveries Group.
This prestigious certificate which recognises exceptional skills and dedication to the craft, was presented by The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King DL at a special ceremony in The Egyptian Room of The Mansion House, London.
Ben has over 30 years of experience as a professional stonemason and is a SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) Fellow. His nomination for the award through The Worshipful Company of Masons was supported by an impressive portfolio of projects, each a testament to his role in preserving our heritage and excellent management skills.
Having taught stone carving for 6 years, Ben could also demonstrate to the Worshipful Company of Masons his ability for training, including in-house and external training days and CPD events such as the WREN 300 celebrations.
Ben’s journey in stonemasonry is a testament to his dedication and inspiration. He vividly recalls the moment he carved stone for the first time, an experience that ignited his passion for the craft. This passion led him to specialise in stonemasonry, including periods of studying in Spain and Italy. His journey culminated in a Maestro course in Venice, where he learned from Europe’s finest craftspeople.
Equipped with his Master Craftsman’s Certificate, Ben is eager to take his stonemasonry career to new heights and continue his teaching:
“It’s been a privilege to use my skills to preserve our architectural heritage and, importantly, to teach those hard-earned skills to the next generation to maintain the excellence of the craft.”
Lewis Proudfoot, Managing Director of Cliveden Conservation, congratulates Ben on this remarkable achievement.
“Ben’s stone conservation skills and knowledge are a tremendous asset to the company. His ability to train and mentor others is integral to filling the heritage skills gap. The Master Craftsman Certificate is an incredible achievement and well-deserved.”
Mr Matthew Hampson, Master of The Worshipful Company of Masons, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London partnering with the Master Certificate Scheme, applauds all the recipients of the award certificates:
“We are delighted to continue our support for the Master Certificate Scheme which celebrates excellence in stonemasonry and other important trades. It is a chance for our members to be recognised for their high level of craftsmanship, skill and experience. We congratulate everyone who was awarded a certificate and wish them every success with their career progression.”
Cliveden Conservation are Partner Members of the Network and can be found in our Talent Bank of suppliers.
