Meet the Team
We are a specialist stained-glass conservation and design studio based in the North East. With over 15 years of experience, our expertise lies in the conservation, restoration, and creation of traditional stained glass. We have worked on windows from the 12th century to the 21st century, in historic houses, museums, cathedrals, churches, art galleries and private homes.
We take pride in our bespoke workshop and studio space which enables us to complete entire projects in-house, including the framing of panels when required. As Members of the Institute for Conservation, quality is at the heart of everything we do.
-
Zoe
Zoe has over a decade of hands-on experience of working in stained glass conservation with both medieval and modern glass, graduating in the MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management from the University of York in 2015.
She has an interest in using new technologies to streamline daily processes, document historic stained glass and develop new designs. Zoe has given papers at conferences for the Institute for Conservation and Historic Environment Scotland. Experienced in site work, she prides herself on conscientious health and safety practice, in the workplace and away.
Zoe is based in Edinburgh as co-director of Rainbow Glass (East) and is part of the team of directors at Northern Lights, assisting with planning/logistics, surveys/documentation and administrative work. She is on the Pathway to Accreditation with ICON. As an advocate for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, she actively engages with fellow professionals, practitioners, and researchers in the stained glass community.
-
Matthew
Matt Nickels grew up in a family run stained glass business and is the in-house stained glass expert on the BBC One TV show The Repair Shop. Matt has decades of experience, having built a distinguished career restoring and creating glasswork for homes, historic churches, and landmarks. Matt obtained an M.A in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at the highest level of distinction.
Matt has supported major UK stained glass studios on larger projects and has worked at York Glaziers Trust; the studio dedicated to York Minster. Matt takes pride in his work as a designer and artist, and one of his proudest achievements is the creation of a large glass installation for a charity garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He also loves painting on glass and any glass related creative challenge.
In his spare time, Matt is passionate about supporting young people. He volunteers regularly and enjoys time in nature through foraging, birding, walking, and surfing.
-
Laura
Laura is our Icon Accredited Conservator (ACR) and brings fifteen years of conservation experience to the team. The majority of her career has been in stained glass, but she also enjoyed several years working as a conservator at the National Railway Museum, turning her hand to, and managing a wide range of conservation projects. She completed her MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management amongst the first cohort in 2010.
-
Merlyn
Merlyn has over twelve years experience as a stained glass conservator, staring her career as a Heritage Lottery Funded trainee in 2012. Holding an MA from the University of York, Merlyn specialises in research, documentation and conservation techniques.
Away from the studio, Merlyn is an artist and freelance workshop facilitator at The Littlest Falcon.