A passion for preserving history

About Vincent Reed

Vincent Reed’s passion for restoring historic woodwork was ignited more than 30 years ago when he apprenticed as an antique furniture restorer in England’s famous Brighton Lanes. Committed to the belief that period exterior and interior woodwork deserves to be treated with the same meticulous care and respect as precious antique furniture, he established Vincent Reed Ltd in 1989, specialising in the accurate restoration of all types of historical timbers. Today, Vincent’s wealth of knowledge and experience precedes him.

Vincent has worked and consulted on a wide range of prestigious projects, from Grade 1 & 2 listed period family homes, to some of the UK’s most recognisable royal residences and historic buildings including Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, Kew Palace, the Royal College of Physicians, King’s College Chapel by George Gilbert Scott, Glynde Place and many more. Vincent’s work has been recognised overseas including travelling to Abu Dhabi to consult and advise on the ancient woodwork construction at the Royal Fortress Qasr al-Hosn.

As an ICOMOS delegate, Vincent explored and advised on some of the world’s most ancient timber structures in Ethiopia. He was also invited to present at the international conference of timber structures UN HeadQuarters, Addis Ababa. Vincent is regularly invited to lecture for The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); as well as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), The Royal Household Conservation departments at Buckingham Palace and many other heritage companies throughout the UK.

Most recently in 2020, Vincent carried out restoration on the Sir Christopher Wren panelling in The Queen’s State Apartments, Kensington Palace.

Vincent’s wealth of knowledge and experience have made him a globally recognised in the conservation and restoration of woodwork in buildings of historic significance.

Prestigious Properties

Vincent’s ever increasing expertise in wood conservation and restoration over three decades has entitled him to work on a wide range of prestigious projects, from Grade 1 & 2 listed period family homes, to some of the UK’s most recognisable royal residences and historic scheduled monuments including Kensington Palace, Sir Christopher Wren, the Royal College of Physicians and Kings College Chapel George Gilbert Scott; The Ned, (Midland Bank Headquarters) Edwin Lutyens. As his reputation has grown, his work in the field has been recognised overseas, leading to the personal restoration of buildings of historical significance abroad, such as the Royal Fortress Qasr al-Hosn, Abu Dhabi.

Professional Endorsement

Vincent’s team of highly skilled artisans are personally trained and supervised to maintain his own meticulous attention to detail and dedication to historical authenticity, which has resulted in successful and regular collaborations with heritage organisations such as English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust. This close relationship, together with the respect and confidence afforded his work by conservation and building officers, provides peace of mind and invaluable support for his clients.

Vincent is regularly invited to lecture for The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); as well as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and Conservation Officers, And other leading conservation lead companies ( don’t forget I have presented for Purcell, Nation Rail Weald and Downland Museum and at the UN headquarters of Africa ) elaborating on his knowledge and skills to educate others on the correct methods and techniques for the conservation and restoration of period woodwork.

International Recognition

Vincent’s global standing in the field of historic timber restoration has been recognised by the International Council of Monuments and Sites, who recently accepted him as an international member. As an ICOMOS delegate, Vincent was part of the 2019 Symposium exploring some of the world’s most ancient timber buildings in Ethiopia, where his extensive knowledge of historical apotropaic /witch marks on old timbers has led to an exciting discovery possibly linking Christian Africa, The Holy Land and Europe.