Craig Frew MSc IHBC

Craig Frew MSc IHBC is the founder and Director of Frew Conservation. He has 25 years' experience in building conservation, with particular expertise in the repair of traditional masonry buildings.

Prior to establishing Frew Conservation, Craig worked as Technical Consultant for a leading stonemasonry contractor, Senior Buildings Consultant for the Scottish Lime Centre Trust, and Conservation Officer for Dundee City Council. He is a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), holds an MSc in European Urban Conservation and a Vocational Assessor's Certificate, having been involved in the training and assessment of the SQA National Units in Conservation Masonry and the National Progression Award in the Conservation of Masonry.

Craig has a particular interest in traditional lime mortars and external lime coatings, and has authored and contributed to a number of publications and technical articles on the subject. He was also a guest lecturer on Historic Environment Scotland's MSc in Technical Building Conservation, delivering teaching on lime mortars, plasters and renders.

He is a member, and former committee member, of the Building Limes Forum, a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), and served as a Trustee and Director of Falkland Stewardship Trust from 2016 to 2024.

Laura Frew BSc(Hons)

Laura Frew is a Director of Frew Conservation and is responsible for our in-house laboratory and the preparation and analysis of historic building materials. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and spent 22 years working at the University of Dundee, laterly as Senior Scientific Officer,  before embarking on a new career in building conservation.

While Laura's academic background is rooted in the biological sciences, her work now focuses on the earth sciences, applying her excellent understanding of chemistry and analytical techniques to the investigation and characterisation of historic mortars, plasters, renders and other traditional building materials. She has further developed her specialist knowledge through training and mentoring from leading experts in the field, including materials consultant Bill Revie, with whom we continue to work closely.

Laura has also managed the company's bookkeeping and financial administration since Frew Conservation was established and plays a central role in the day-to-day running of the business. Her scientific expertise, organisational skills and attention to detail underpin our evidence-based approach to materials analysis and conservation advice.