Meet the Textile Conservation Studio team

Staff at the Textile Conservation Studio

The team of ten trained conservators are supported by a conservation technician and an administrator. Their wide range of experience and skills, added to the knowledge of other specialist Trust staff, results in multidisciplinary team working to find the best treatment solutions.

Maria Jordan working on a valance from the Spangled bed, Knole
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Maria Jordan ACR – Senior National Conservator Textiles and Studio Manager

After an initial career in finance, Maria retrained at the Textile Conservation Centre and graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Textile Conservation from the Courtauld Institute of Art in 2000. Following her graduation, Maria worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 16 years in their textile conservation studio based at Hampton Court Palace. In June 2016 she was delighted to be appointed by the National Trust to manage and lead the studio. In 2021 Maria took on the role of Senior National Conservator Textiles in addition to leading the Studio.

Conservator at the Textile Conservation Studio
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Rachel Langley – Senior Conservator ACR

After a degree in Biological Sciences, Rachel progressed into textile conservation through a three year Tapestry apprenticeship at the Textile Conservation Centre, Hampton Court Palace and has been with the National Trust since 1993. Rachel has project managed many objects during her time at the studio as well as training house staff and volunteers she especially loves working on large scale objects including Powis' Embassy tapestry, Hardwick's Great Hangings embroideries & Gideon tapestries.

Conservators mounting Wedding suit from Claydon House
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Rosamund Weatherall – Senior Textile Conservator ACR

Rosamund’s background in fashion, a degree in fine art valuation, voluntary work at Calke Abbey and an M.A. in Textile Conservation at the University of Southampton led her to the Textile Conservation Studio in 2006.

Conservator inspecting a dress
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Claire Golbourn – Senior Conservator ACR

Claire has a BSc(Hons) in Restoration and Conservation from the London Guildhall University and after working with the preventative conservation team at Hampton Court Palace joined the studio in 2000 as Textile Conservation Technician rising to be Senior Conservator. She loves working on furnishings and particularly State Beds. She has enjoyed working on the grand, sumptuous, complex James II Bed from Knole, to the miniature dolls house beds at Uppark.

Conservator at the Textile Conservation Studio
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Jane Smith - Senior Conservator ACR

Jane’s change of career from a teacher to Textile Conservator has followed on from her M.A. in Conservation of Historic Objects, Lincoln University and working in a freelance conservation studio. She completed her internship at the Trust Studio in 2010.

Conservator stitching on Cotehele Tapestry
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Nadine Wilson - Textile Conservator

Nadine has a B.A.(Hons) in Conservation & Restoration and an MSc in Care of Collections. After working in preventive conservation at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts she specialised in textiles, completing her internship at the Trust Studio in 2008.

Conservator stitching carpet
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Aimee Grice-Venour – Textile Conservator

Aimee has a B.A. in Conservation and Restoration and an M.A. in Conservation of Historic Objects both from Lincoln University as well as an H.N.C. in Traditional Upholstery. She completed her internship at the Trust Studio in 2013.

Textile Conservator working on the Spangled bed from Knole
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Elaine Owers - Textile Conservator

After working in historic properties for the National Trust for over ten years, Elaine retrained at the University of Lincoln, graduating with distinction from the M.A. Conservation of Historic Objects programme in 2008. After completing a Tapestry Conservation internship and working as an Assistant Textile Conservator at the Studio, Elaine became a Freelance Conservator. She re-joined the team at the Textile Conservation Studio as a permanent member of staff in 2016. Elaine continues to specialise in tapestry conservation, project managing the conservation of the Gideon tapestries from Hardwick Hall, the largest set of tapestries in the National Trust’s collection.

Conservator stitching a tapestry
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Yoko Hanegreefs - Textile Conservator

Yoko trained at Royal Academy of Fine Arts (University of Antwerp), followed by placement at Heritage Malta and starting work at May Berkouwer Textile Conservation in 2013. Yoko first came to the Studio to take up the 2 year Levy Internship in 2014. She became a permanent member of the team in 2017. Yoko has focused on tapestry and wet cleaning during her time at the studio and is currently specialising in carpet conservation. She has recently project managed the wonderful Tournai tapestry from Montacute House.

Conservator, Terri Dewhurst, treating a painted shield from Hardwick Gideon Tapestry
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Terri Dewhurst - Textile Conservator

Following her BA (Hons) in Fashion Design, Nottingham Trent University, Terri combined a love of history, art and textiles, and a desire to utilise her practical skills, on the M.A. Conservation of Historic Objects, Lincoln University, graduating in 2014. Having previously worked for Leicestershire County Council’s Museum Service, Sheila Landi and WHConservation, Terri took up a temporary contract with us in 2015. During her time at the Studio Terri has also completed the Levy Internship & became a permanent member of the team in 2020. She enjoys the amazing variation in Studio projects, from state beds to seat covers, however her particular passion lies with historic costume and dress.

At work at the Textile Conservation Studio
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Eleanor Codman – Conservation Technician

Eleanor has an Advanced GNVQ in Art and Design, specialising in textiles. In 2004 she worked as a volunteer at the studio developing into her current role as Conservation Technician.

Textile Conservation Studio staff
The Textile Conservation Studio   Norfolk

Nathalie Reynolds - Senior Business Support Co-ordinator

Nathalie’s has a B.A.(Hons) in Textile Design and a number of years working freelance in the fashion industry across Europe. After working as an administrator for the NHS she joined the studio in 2012.