ABOUT PLOWDEN & SMITH | CAREERS | 2x Vacancies: Driver / Studio Assistant , Client Services Advisor

Take your career in the fine art restoration sector to the next level with Plowden & Smith

Founded in London in 1966, Plowden & Smith is the UK’s largest fine, decorative and contemporary art and object conservation company. Operating out of new purpose-built premises in Mitcham, our team of experienced, skilled restorers work on an extensive range of materials. All treatments are guided by contemporary ethical considerations and underpinned by industry-recognised standards of best practice. Plowden & Smith is committed to supporting employees with their continued professional development and training.

We advertise current vacancies on our website, listed below, however we are always interested in hearing from talented professionals at all stages of their careers. Please send CVs to info@plowden-smith.com. We will be in touch should a suitable vacancy arise.

Why work for Plowden & Smith?

  • Work with some of the world’s most rare, beautiful and interesting artworks and artefacts, as well as national and international collections
  • Work in a stimulating, creative environment
  • Free entry to museums and exhibitions being held in the UK and around the world
  • Opportunities throughout the year to attend preview nights and private view events
  • Personal Continued Professional Development fund
  • Child Care Voucher Scheme
  • Cycle to Work Scheme

 

About Plowden & Smith

Founded in London in 1966, Plowden & Smith is a leading fine art and furniture conservation and restoration company.

In December 2018 we moved to purpose-built premises in Mitcham where our team of experienced and skilled conservators and restorers work on an extensive range of materials. All our object treatments are informed by science, guided by contemporary ethical considerations and underpinned by industry-recognised standards of best practice. Staff are committed to continued professional development and training.

Client Services Advisor

Plowden & Smith are looking for an experienced Client Services Advisor with a minimum of 5 years of experience working within the art world who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment.

This dynamic role offers a high degree of variety, making it ideal for someone who is energised by a constantly moving workplace, and thrives under pressure.

Plowden & Smith is an inspiring environment now in its 60th year where no two days are the same. You’ll need to bring flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of the role, whether that means juggling priorities, embracing new challenges, or seizing unexpected opportunities. With a vibrant and supportive team around you, you’ll be encouraged to make meaningful daily contributions and voice ideas for team/company improvement. The ability to multi-task and problem solve are crucial to be successful in this role.

  • Location: Plowden & Smith, Unit 5, Liongate Enterprise Park, 80 Morden Road, Mitcham CR4 4NY
  • Contract type: Full-time position 4 days on-site, 1 day WFH post probationary period (usually 3 months)
  • Salary: £38,000
  • Application deadline: 19/06/2026 at midday

Client Services Advisor Role Overview

The Client Services Advisor role is responsible for overseeing the entire client journey for allocated projects from initial enquiry to final invoicing and follow-up, ensuring high standards of communication and service delivery. This is a high-energy role which demands a proactive and resilient approach, suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys multitasking, and is excited by daily variety and challenge.

Key Responsibilities:
• Overseeing the entire client journey from initial enquiry to final invoicing and follow-up, demonstrating a high level of discretion and professionalism
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships across a diverse range of clients including private collectors, galleries, auction houses, and institutions
• Monitor and update clients on job progress in a timely and professional manner
• Collaborate with conservators and colleagues to solve problems and ensure timely, cost-effective job completion
• Proactively chase pipelines
• Collaborate with the Head of Client Services to attract new clients and maximise existing relationships
• Invoice clients promptly when jobs are completed and ensure your team meets the monthly sales targets

Skills & Requirements:
The role would suit someone who has previously worked as a registrar or client account handler within a gallery, a fine art shipper, or auction house.

The desired candidate will be:
• Highly organised, goal-driven, and passionate about art
• A strong problem-solver
• Able to multitask with excellent attention to detail
• Calm under pressure and able to excel under time-sensitive deadlines
• Discreet and professional
• Client-centric in approach
• Confident and professional on the telephone
• Able to identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling

Why work for Plowden & Smith?
We work with some of the world’s most rare, beautiful and interesting artworks, artefacts, and national and international collections.
• Work in a stimulating, creative environment
• Access to company ICOM cards for free entry to a range of international museums & galleries
• Opportunities throughout the year to attend preview nights and private view events
• Support for Continued Professional Development
• Child Care Voucher Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

The job holder will report to the Head of Client Services. Start date: As soon as possible.

No agencies, please. Must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. However please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to any advertised closing date. So, if you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in this position. Please send a CV and brief cover letter explaining why you’re right for the role to: hr@plowden-smith.com

Driver / Studio Assistant

  • Position: Permanent, Full time

  • Working hours: 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm

  • Location: Plowden & Smith Ltd, Unit 5, Liongate Enterprise Park, 80 Morden Road, Mitcham, CR4 4NY (with ad hoc ON-SITE work required)

  • Salary: £29,000

As a hands-on Driver/Studio Assistant you will handle artworks and deliver and collect these from our clients in and around London in a professional and presentable manner.

On a daily basis you will support the needs of the business by ensuring items are tagged, logged and housed appropriately. You will be on call throughout your day at Plowden & Smith to oversee artworks entering and leaving the building, assist conservators with locating and moving artworks and maintaining working spaces to ensure these are compliant, clean, tidy and functioning well. You may be asked to assist in the basic maintenance of workshop machinery and facilities to ensure that the working environment is a productive and pleasant one for all.

This is a junior role where you will learn a lot and receive direction from conservators and the client services team. You may be trained to assist with basic conservation treatment, but this is not guaranteed.

This role requires, a willingness to learn, exceptional communication skills and to be extremely organised so that you can proactively support and engage with all relevant departments. An interest in Art would be helpful but not essential.

Driver / Studio Assistant Core Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

– Carry out the physical day-to-day movement of objects/artworks including art handling, packing and documenting artworks.

– Regularly deliver and collect artworks to a schedule, ensuring safety of the artwork through adequate packing and appropriate storage of these items.

– Maintain studio space and employee facilities under the guidance of conservators and Head of Operations.

– To ensure delivery vehicles are functional, clean, tidy and operating correctly. 

– Conduct a daily walk around to check in with conservators to see if support is needed. Ensure fire exits are well marked and kept clear, and that walkways/communal spaces are clear of artworks and packing materials.

– Potential scope to train to assist conservators with basic treatments.

Driver / Studio Assistant Skills & Experience

Essential

  • Must have a full clean driving licence and be comfortable driving alone in transit sized van.

Desirable skills

  • Team player with a can-do attitude, able to work proactively with colleagues and staff.
  • Reliable, tolerant, highly organised with exceptional communication skills.
  • Able to take direction well from multiple sources.
  • Flexible and responsive to change.
  • Comfortable balancing competing demands and communicating priorities.

Who This Role Suits Best

You’ll thrive if you:

  • Like hands-on, practical work
  • Enjoy being busy and moving around
  • Are interested in art, museums, or conservation
  • Don’t mind doing support tasks alongside skilled professionals
  • Can handle responsibility + logistics
  • Are willing to undertake training and have basic health and safety awareness

What this role provides

  • Entry into art conservation / gallery world
  • Very varied day-to-day work (not desk-bound)
  • Opportunity to learn practical and technical skills
  • Exposure to high-value artworks and professionals

Why work for Plowden & Smith? 

We work with some of the world’s most rare, beautiful, and interesting artworks, artefacts, and national and international collections. 

  • Work in a stimulating, creative environment.
  • Access to company ICOM cards for free entry to a range of international museums & galleries.
  • Opportunities throughout the year to attend preview nights and private view events. 
  • Support for Continued Professional Development
  • Child Care Voucher Scheme. 
  • Cycle to Work Scheme. 

Please send your c.v., and a brief covering letter (covering letter -no more than 250 words to kate.goad@plowden-smith.com and include Driver/Studio Assistant in the subject line.

Please note that you must have the right to live and work in the UK. We cannot support any individual in applying for a visa.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates need during the recruitment process. If there are additional options, you would like to request please contact Kate Goad on hr@plowden-smith.com OR call +44 (0)20 8874 4005.

Start date ASAP