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Profile

J D Sutcliffe

Architectural Stonework & Carving

Heritage Stonemason — London, England

John Sutcliffe is a specialist heritage stonemason with over 20 years of experience in the conservation and restoration of historic stone buildings across England. A QEST Scholar (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust), his work spans cathedral-scale projects to private commissions — from the Palace of Westminster to York Minster, from Big Ben to Liberty London. Always with the same guiding principle: repair with the same precision, materials, and rigour as the original craftsmen.

Trained on the fabric of two of England's greatest medieval buildings — York Minster and Gloucester Cathedral — and holding a postgraduate qualification in Historic Stone Carving from the London Art School, John combines deep practical skill with an understanding of historical context and conservation ethics.

Career

Established J D Sutcliffe Architectural Stonework & Carving

2022 – Present

Restoration of Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)

Palace of Westminster, London

2018 – 2021

Cooperativa di Scultura

Carrara, Italy

2017 – 2018

Postgraduate Diploma in Historic Stone Carving

City & Guilds of London Art School

2015 – 2017

Restoration of York Minster's East Front

York Minster

2008 – 2015 · 7 years

Apprenticeship

Gloucester Cathedral

2004 – 2008 · 4 years

Restoration of St Pancras Chambers

Eurostar Terminal, London

2004

Diploma in Advanced Stonemasonry

Building Crafts College, London

2003 – 2004

Masters Degree in Social Anthropology

Edinburgh University

1994 – 1998

Prizes & Awards

🏆 Highly Commended — Natural Stone Awards 2022

'Carving, Lettering, Sculpture' category for work on Big Ben

🎓 QEST Award — Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust 2017

✈️ Brinsley Ford Rome Travel Award 2016

🏅 Radcliffe Trust — Balfour of Burleigh Tercentenary Prize 2015

Exceptional Merit in Crafts

🧱 Tylers & Bricklayers Prize — Best Stonemasonry Student 2004

🏗️ National Federation of Builders Prize for Excellence 2004

QEST Scholar

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust — supporting excellence in British craftsmanship.

QEST Scholar work Stone carving detail Heritage craftsmanship Carved stonework Restoration project Fine carving
View QEST profile →

Contact

[ placeholder@email.com ]

[ +44 xxxx xxxxxx ]

London, England, United Kingdom