Matthias is from Dresden, Germany and has worked as a mason and carver for over 30 years. Following his apprenticeship in Dresden, Matthias spent 6 years working throughout Europe in over a dozen masonry and carving workshops before moving to England in 1998 to join Wells Cathedral Stonemasons. He joined Dick Reid’s workshop in York the following year, where he stayed for more than 5 years before establishing his own business.

In 2001, Matthias was accepted as a William Morris Craft Fellow with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. He was then awarded a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship towards completing the German Qualification of Master in Masonry, Carving and Conservation.

Matthias has an MA in Historic Conservation from University of York, King’s Manor. He was awarded a Master Craftsman Certificate from the Worshipful Company of Masons and is currently their Champion for York College.  He is a Freeman of the City of London.

He currently sits on the Historic Estates Conservation Committee of Historic England.

Kibby has a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College, an MSc from the University of Edinburgh and a Diploma in Architectural Woodcarving from City and Guilds of London Art School where she studied high-relief limewood carving under Hannah Hartwell, resident carver at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Kibby joined Dick Reid’s workshop in 2001, where she worked for 4 years before being invited to work with David Esterly, American limewood carver and specialist in the work of Grinling Gibbons. In 2008 she joined Matthias Garn + Partner.

She sits on the Committee of the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship.

Compagnions du Devoir- stone mason; fixer mason; stone carver

Stonemason; banker mason; fixer mason; carver. NVQ level 3 Banker Masonry at York College, ND in design and making at York college.

William worked in hospitality for 18 years before changing career and joining our workshop 2 years ago.

Stone carver and mason; letter cutter; woodcarver. NVQ Level 3 Stonemasonry; NVQ Level 3 Bench Joinery; NVQ Level 3 Wood Machining; CSCS Gold Heritage Card; Awarded Heritage Lottery Fund Bursary Scheme Scholarship for stone carving and masonry; Quick lime mortar trained 2014; PASMA (scaffold towers) trained; British Museum Casting trained 2010.

Matt did his Apprenticeship in woodcarving at Linford’s under Mike Painter and then worked for the York Minster as a stone carver for a number of years before joining our workshop.

Marly started her apprenticeship with us in 2020 with the support of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and the Benefact Trust.
She received the award for the most determined apprentice of the year at York college in 2022.
That same year she also won the bronze medal at the Skillbuild national competition in Edinburgh.
On top of banker masonry and fixing on site, Marly is also being trained in letter carving.

Historic England, Hamish Ogston Stonemason Apprentice. Graduate of ICOMOS “Saving The Stones” Israeli Antiquities Authority practical buildings conservation course 2016. Enrolled in the University of York MA Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings).

John was a labourer at York Minster for 23 months before joining the team.

Master stonemason; fixer mason; carver. NVQ Level 6. CSCS Gold Heritage Card. German Qualifications: Steinmetz und Steinbildhauermeister; Steintechniker; Restaurator im Steinmetzhandwerk. CAD proficient.