Our People

As with any trade or service industry, we are only as good as the people who work for us. CWO is therefore fully committed to training, not only for the masons on site and in our workshop who form the backbone of our orgainisation, but for every single person within the business from management to administration. This commitment is reflected in the quality of work carried out by CWO, the projects we have carried out and the awards we have received.

  • Malcolm Diamond MBE, Chairman

    Malcolm joined CWO in May 2004 as Chairman, having been recruited by the Osborne Group to help grow the business. By 2006, the CWO management team was in a position to negotiate an MBO which was completed in October 2006, and the Company has since nearly doubled in size over the past three years.

    Malcolm is also Chairman of Trifast Plc, senior NED of Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc, NED of Unicorn VCT 11 Plc investment fund, and a partner in Soundscape Environmental Structures LLP.

    “I can honestly say that amongst all the companies I have worked with over the years, the CWO team have given me the confidence and motivation to support their quest to be widely acknowledged as the best in the UK Stone construction and renovation / conservation sector for as long as I can personally add value to their growth.”


  • Bernard Burns, Managing Director

    Bernard, orignally trained as a carpenter, started as a Trainee Site Manager with Geoffrey Osborne Ltd in 1981. Bernard transfered over to CWO in 1991 when it became a member of the Osborne Group, working his way up to Managing Director. Bernard is closely involved with all our major projects, taking a hands on approach where necessary. As Managing Director he is responsible for our Growth Strategy, operational effectiveness and key client development.

  • Adam Stone, Technical Director

    Adam, originally from York, worked with Rattee & Kett, The Department of the Environment and ran his own masonry business, before moving 'down south' in 2002 to join CWO. Adam was promoted to Technical Director in 2007 and now splits his time between the workshop and various sites. Adam has a strong background in conservation and is fast becoming somewhat of an expert in cantilever staircases and hard landscaping.

  • David Baily, Operations Director

    David has twenty one years experience in the construction industry. Moving to CWO in 1991 he gained valuable conservation and restoration experience, before leaving to gain management experience with leading blue chip construction companies. David returned to CWO as London Manager in 2008, with responsibility for all projects within the London sector. In 2009 David was appointed to the Board as Operations Director, and is now responsible for London client development and CWO's two year 'Fit for the Future' supply chain and site efficiency improvement strategy.

  • Gill Hooper, Financial Controller

    Gill is the most recent addition to the CWO team, having joined in May 2007. Gill came from a construction background, but the position still proved quite a learning curve due to the recent MBO and the nature of the systems at CWO. Gill's knowledge and experience have proved an asset to the business, and as head of the finance team she is responsible for cash management and the installation of our new Sage operating system.

  • Cathy O'Brien, Training Co-ordinator

    Cathy joined CWO in 1999, after a break in her career to bring up her family, having worked for Bernard when both worked for the Osborne Group. When Cathy joined the company her role was as PA to Bernard although, with the ever increasing emphasis on training within the industry gradually taking up more and more of her time, in 2005 Cathy’s role became one of Training Co-ordinator responsible for training throughout the business and recently administered CWO's successful accreditation with IIP, awarded in September 2009. Learn more about training at CWO...

  • Gary Collings, Site Manager

    Gary has been with CWO for the past 13 years, having previously worked for Szerelemy and Triton Building Restoration. Gary started with CWO as a Fixer Mason and has been involved in serveral notable projects over the years including Brompton Oratory and the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.  Gary was site manager on the award winning Relocation of Temple Bar and is now leading the team carrying out the restoration work to the Monument for the City of London Corporation.


  • Ollie Clack, Second Year Apprentice

    Ollie started his apprenticeship with CWO in September 2006 and at only 19 is the youngest member of the CWO team. Now in his second year Ollie continues to develope his skills in the workshop and at Weymouth College. In 2007 Ollie gained a Bronze Medal at Skillbuild and was awarded the Stone Federation Great Britain's Trainee of the Year Award. Read more about Ollie's awards in our news pages...