Ben Kirk, Managing Director
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Ben founded Manorwood in 2015 having previously been Director at Creative Heritage Ltd since 2007.
Ben holds an MSc in Timber Building Conservation from Bournemouth University and has a particular interest in historic farm buildings and farmsteads.
Ben is a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and a member of various groups including the Vernacular Architecture Group, The Domestic Buildings Research Group and the Wealden Buildings Study Group.
Ben is the Designated Service Adviser for Manorwood under the IHBC Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition (HESPR) Scheme.
Ben has been actively working in the historic environment industry for 15 years providing various services on heritage asset projects which include overseeing conservation works to historic buildings for clients including The Charleston Trust, The Wiston Estate, The Nyetimber Estate and many private clients.
Ben also project managed the re erection of 5 historic buildings at the Weald and Downland Living Museum near Chichester, coordinating various traditional trades through a network of specialist contractors.
With significant experience of the planning system and across many authorities throughout the South East Ben is responsible for compiling and submitting numerous applications and negotiating with Local Authorities for works to heritage assets and other projects.
Mike Dean, Architectural Designer
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Mike has been with Manorwood since it was founded in 2015, having previously worked for a number of architectural practices as an assistant & technician.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Architecture, gained in 2012 from Portsmouth University. He has a passion for modern architecture, but also has a keen interest in Victorian and Edwardian architecture, particularly industrial buildings. Mike likes to combine the historic with a modern approach to create unique and interesting buildings that both respect the past and serve the future.
Mike has designed numerous buildings with this ‘old-meets new’ ethos and continues to enjoy this approach to his architecture.
Mike undertakes the majority of 2D & 3D drawing work for Manorwood, whether it be an entirely new design, the preparation of detailed plans for Planning and Listed Building Applications, or Schedules of Repair and Conversion Details.
Mike is a self-confessed nerd who prides himself on his presentation skills and works hard to improve the efficiency of our documentation. Mike is very adept at preparing documents using numerous software products including AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop, and the Affinity
Kyle Dumka, Associate Timber Frame Specialist and Consultant
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Kyle has worked with Manorwood as an Associate on numerous projects for the past 7 years.
Over the last 20 years, Kyle's passion, precision and specialist knowledge have made him a highly respected and sought-after woodworker in Sussex and beyond. He has been entrusted with a number of high-profile restoration projects, including the barns at Charleston House, and a range of projects with the Wiston and Nyetimber estates.
He is an integral part of the life-span of a project, from historic timber consultancy and building appraisal through to site management, scheduling and supervision, and working alongside his team on the ground as a specialist carpentry contractor. He combines the experience of a hands-on carpenter with sound theoretical and historical insights, and the eye of the skilled craftsman. He continues to deepen his knowledge around historic buildings through his own research and CPD learning.
His specialisms include timber framing layout, re-alignment of buildings, surveying and recording timber frames, with particular strengths in structural timber repairs.
Roberto Prieto-Labrador, Historic Building Consultant
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Roberto joined Manorwood as a Historic Buildings Consultant in 2019 after working for several years in different roles within the heritage industry including as a historic building researcher. He has experience in the analysis, interpretation and research of historic buildings with a special interest in domestic architecture.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Art History, specialising in historic buildings, and is currently studying for an MA in English Building History at the University of York where he has developed a particular interest in vernacular architecture, and its conservation, with a particular focus on early timber-framed buildings.
Roberto is a Practitioner Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). He is also a member of The Domestic Buildings Research Group and the Wealden Buildings Study Group.
In 2018 Roberto obtained a Diploma in 3D Recreation of Historic Cities, and a Diploma in Virtual Reconstruction of Heritage and Buildings in 3D.
His interest and passion for history led him to become a member of the historic re-enactment group The Sealed Knot, participating in 17th century re-enactment events across the country.
As a Historic Building Consultant at Manorwood, Roberto is responsible for preparing Heritage Statements, Statements of Significance, as well as building research, surveying and recording.
Emma May, Bookkeeper
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Emma is a Self-Employed Bookkeeper and has been with Manorwood since it was founded in 2015 having previously worked for Ben at Creative Heritage.
Emma holds Level 3 bookeeping qualifications with the IAB and has numerous clients with Manorwood being her main one.
Emma is responsible for all elements of bookkeeping for Manorwood from invoicing, paying suppliers and responsibility of VAT returns down to the CIS returns for all the sub contractors and running Payroll for the business.
Although Manorwood uses QuickBooks for its accounting Emma also uses Xero, SAGE, Kashflow and ZOHO for her other clients so has strong knowledge of most of the main accounting packages.
In her spare time Emma is at her happiest walking her dogs, out on her bike or spending quality time with friends and family.
