ABOUT PLOWDEN & SMITH | CAREERS | 2x Vacancies: Easel Painting Conservator , Driver / Studio Assistant

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.

Easel Paintings Conservator

Position: Permanent, Full time
Working hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Location: Plowden & Smith Ltd, Unit 5, Liongate Enterprise Park, 80 Morden Road, Mitcham, CR4 4NY (with ad hoc ON-SITE work required)
Salary: £32, 500 – £35,500 depending on experience

Plowden & Smith is a leading provider of art conservation services now entering an exciting phase as we celebrate our 60th year of operation. We are seeking an Easel Paintings Conservator. The conservator will work with Conservation Management and Client Services to ensure delivery of quality conservation treatments within agreed estimates.

We are particularly interested in hearing from conservators with two to five years post qualification practical experience in a wide range of paintings including both traditional and modern materials.

The Easel Paintings Conservator will undertake examination and assessment of paintings and must be proficient in producing accurate written and photographic documentation and generating condition reports to a high standard.

You will be flexible in your approach with a proven track record of working to tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard and positive work ethic. The successful candidate will bring an enthusiastic approach to their work, have good communication skills and be able to work independently as well as part of a team supporting the staff around them

Easel Painting Conservator – Key Responsibilities:

Producing estimates, condition assessments, treatment methodologies and treatment reports
Undertaking treatments of paintings, ranging from those executed on traditional substrates such as canvas and panel to works in acrylics and other modern or mixed materials.
Undertaking both structural and surface treatments including but not limited to – repair of tears, strip-lining, re-stretching, varnish and overpaint removal, consolidation, filling, retouching, varnishing, surface cleaning, and framing.
Supporting the Senior Paintings Conservator, and interns, to ensure work in the department is completed to a high standard.
Keeping stock of studio materials and pre-empting upcoming project requirements and ensuring these are ordered on time in collaboration with the Senior Paintings Conservator.
Liaising with the Conservation Manager and Client Services to ensure the smooth running of your personal workload.
Work on site as well as in the workshop. This may include major galleries, museums, private homes, heritage sites and storage facilities
Provide practical conservation advice and guidance to other conservators, client services and clients
Work with other departments in the company on collaborative jobs.

About you:

You will have a degree in Paintings Conservation and a minimum two to five years’ post qualification experience specialising in easel paintings conservation.
Experience working in private practice is desirable as you will be required to work under your own initiative and effectively manage your workflow to meet deadlines in a fast-paced commercial environment.
Reports are a vital part of this role, and a clear and concise writing style is essential.
Treatments are carried out both in the studio and on site, willingness to do so is required.
You will be a personable and effective team worker with excellent communication skills.
You will be confident in making decisions with artworks whilst maintaining exceptional ethical standards in your approach to all tasks.
Robust chemistry for conservation knowledge.
We handle large and oversized work frequently, managing studio space and safe handling with the team is vital to the role
IT: Good working knowledge of Microsoft suite, file sharing services.
Experience with contemporary paintings.
Willingness to travel nationally and internationally when required would be of value.

Easel Painting Conservator – How to Apply

Please send your c.v., portfolio and covering letter of no more than 250 words to andri.maimaridou@plowden-smith.com and include Easel Paintings Conservator 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.

Closing Date: May 15^th, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

Start date for role 29^th June 2026.

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.

Start date ASAP