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.