“Mutual support through experience and encouraging young professionals to excel.”

Team

The company has 14 employees, with a wide spread of experience from apprentices to mid-career conservators, and several staff members with 30 plus years experience. Two of our staff members are SPAB Fellows, and one is a fully trained stonemason, bringing to the team an awareness of other conservation disciplines and philosophies.

Helen Bree BA(Hons.)

Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BA Hons. Sculpture, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1996 – 1999. NVQ Level 3 Stained glass 2005. Pro-skills advanced “apprenticeship of the year” - highly commended, 2007. Travelling Craft Scholarship to conservation workshops in Germany and Belgium, 2004. Steven’s design competition – commendation, 2003.
Helen was employed at Holy Well Glass in 2003.

Jack Clare ACR, BA(Hons.), PGDip, SPAB Fellow

Director and Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

ICON Accredited Conservator Restorer (ACR). BA (Hons). English Literature and Spanish, Bath Spa University, 2010 - 2013. Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism, Cardiff University, 2013-2014. SPAB Fellow 2017. Chemistry for Conservators Course, International Academics Projects, 2021. Jack has long term involvement in the family business, and is immersed in developing strategies to take the business into the future.

Steve Clare MBE, ACR, FMGP

Director, and Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

ICON accredited conservator Restorer. Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, Liveryman of the Glaziers Company. National Stained Glass Advisor to the National Trust. External assessor for ICON Professional Accreditation of Conservator Restorers. External assessor for AABC, the register of Accredited Architects in Building Conservation. Steve commenced training at Fulham Glass House under Carl Edwards in 1980. He spent a further 10 years at Chapel Studios, mentored by Alf Fisher, before setting-up HWG in 1995. In 2020 Steve was awarded an MBE for services to stained glass conservation. In 2021 Steve was awarded the Plowden medal for his tireless encouragement of younger professionals into the sector.

Joanna Moylett BA (Hons.), MA

Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BA(Hons), Plymouth University, Contemporary Craft, 2013-2016. MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management, University of York, 2018 – 2020. Jo undertook the Worshipful Company of Glaziers' Award for Excellence before joining the team in 2020.

Chris Elliott

Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

After 9 years working in the service industry up to management level Chris decided upon a change of direction and started at Holy Well Glass in 2016.

Sarah Knighton ACR, AMGP, BA(Hons.)

Studio Manager, Senior Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, Glazier

ICON accredited conservator Restorer. BA Hons. Architectural Stained Glass, Swansea Metropolitan University, 2005 – 2008. Chemistry for Conservators Course, International Academics Projects, 2016. Awarded the 2016 “New glass artist of the year” accolade by the Worshipful Company of Glaziers. Winner of the 2016 Steven’s Competition and Prize for Presentation. Sarah began as a trainee conservator at Holy Well Glass in 2008.

Stuart Low HND

Stained Glass Artist and Maker

HND Architectural Stained Glass, Swansea Institute of Higher Education, 1990 – 1993.
Stuart is a freelance stained glass artist, whose private commissions are generally focused on work in the public realm. Alongside this he works for Holy Well Glass on a part-time basis, bringing his finely honed practical skills to the workplace. He is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen.

Clare Mardall BA, MA

Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BA Spanish Languages and Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, 1988 – 1992. MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management, University of York, 2010 – 2012.
After her studies Clare has been working freelance in the United States, before joining the team at Holy Well Glass in 2017.

Jon Pullen NVQ3

Stonemason & Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

NVQ 3 Craft Masonry/Heritage skills, 2012.
Jon spent 10 years working for Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, recently working on a range of prestigious Oxford Colleges; gaining valuable site experience in stone conservation and restoration, during which he rose from the position of labourer to site supervisor. In addition to Jon’s considerable stonemasonry skills he now seeks to build up new skills in the allied trade of stained glass. He began his training at Holy Well Glass in 2017.

Jacquie Rusca

Accounts administrator

Jacquie Rusca joined Holy Well Glass in 2017 to administer the Accounts function of the business. This has gradually evolved and now includes other administration functions to help with the smooth running of the office. Jacquie has worked in finance and customer services throughout her career and has much experience across a number of trade and hospitality sectors.

Shane Toomey BA(Hons.)

Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BA Hons. 3 - Dimensional Design: Idea Material Object, Bath Spa University, 2010 - 2013.
Shane started work at Holy Well Glass in 2013. In 2017 he completed his 3 year Apprenticeship in Stained Glass Practice, organised through the Worshipful Company of Glaziers.

Daisy Coombs BA (Hons)

Apprentice Stained Glass Craftsperson

BA (Hons) French and English literature, Newnham College Cambridge 2018-2022 with dissertations on manuscript and print material culture. Awarded the Gillian Beer prize 2022. Enrolled in a level 4 Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship, organised through Swansea UWTSD in collaboration with ICON (Institute of Conservation).
After her studies Daisy has been working as an English teacher in France, before joining the team at Holy Well Glass and beginning her apprenticeship in 2024. Daisy worked with Holy Well on the conservation of the Burne-Jones windows in Birmingham Cathedral.

Eilish Ward BSc (Hons)

Trainee Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BSc (Hons) in adult nursing University of Lincoln 2017. After completing her nursing degree Eilish worked as an art teacher with children in America and has recently pivoted from creating new artworks towards a career in conservation.

Richard Jenkins BSc (Hons)

Trainee Stained Glass Conservator, Painter, and Glazier

BSc Computer Science, , Aberystwyth
Initially qualified as a Arboroculturalist, Horticulture and Foreststry, construction site manager, then did a degree in Computer Science before returning to Somerset. Started with HWG August 2023, enjoying learning all aspects of stained glass conservation. “I am thoroughly enjoying the diversity in the role and learning how historical arestans worked”.

Toby Britton-Watts BA (Hons)

Apprentice Stained Glass Craftsperson

BA (Hons) Fine Art from Leeds Arts University 2017-2020.
Enrolled in a level 4 Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship, organised through Swansea UWTSD in collaboration with ICON (institute of conservation).
Following his studies Toby spent 18 months gaining practical skills under the tutelage of Stained Glass Artist Amanda Blair whilst working as an art teacher. Toby joined the team and began the apprenticeship in 2023.