Proprietor & Bow Maker
Philip has more than 30 years in the trade and is a member of the BVMA and VSA. He began by training in lute and viol making in London, and today handles instrument sales, valuations and repair advice, makes and repairs instruments, and rehairs bows. He made the bows for the recreation of the 24 Violins of the Sun King. His clients are international, former employees now run workshops in several countries, and he writes for The Strad and the BVMA newsletter.
In the workshop
Every instrument that comes through the door is handled by someone below.
Instrument Restorer & Sales
Renato trained at Merton College, London, under Keith Graves, then worked in a London workshop before joining us in August 2023. He is involved with the BVMA and co-organises its Makers’ Day, and brings a business background to the team. His particular interests are early 20th-century Italian lutherie and the Italian makers who emigrated to Brazil.
Bow Restorer
Hanna graduated from the Newark School of Violin Making in 2023 and joined us in January 2024, after working in England, Scotland and Germany. She specialises in bow restoration and making, and is a member of the BVMA.
Violin Maker & Instrument Restorer
IJmkje has 15 years’ professional experience, seven of them focused on cellos. She makes and restores instruments in her home workshop in Cambridgeshire, works part-time at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and is regularly at the bench with us in Newbury.
Instrument Restorer
William came to instrument making after twenty years as an industrial climber and work-at-height safety specialist. He trained in woodwork at Wooburn Craft School, then spent three years learning violin making and repair under Keith Graves at Merton College. He lives in rural Buckinghamshire.
Operations & Sales
Leanne runs our day-to-day operations and looks after our customers. She joined in June 2022 and loves helping players find the right instrument — she’s the person to call about the stock list.
Strategic Planning
Dana works with Philip on the business’s strategic direction, provides HR support and manages cashflow.
Come and meet us
Repair assessments and verbal valuations are free. Visits are by appointment so the right person is at the bench.
We’re hiring: Workshop Technician — join our restoration team in Newbury.
Read the job advert