Brian started learning carpentry at a young age, beginning with his father, who was a Shipwright. He spent his teenage years helping with the restoration of the unique North Devon sailing barge (Wendy) at his father's boat building firm, honing his carpentry, joinery, and boatbuilding skills.
Due to the decline of the shipbuilding industry in London, Brian joined a family firm of builders in Ilford called H. Firmin & Sons ("Firmin") as an Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner. There, he met a fellow craftsman named John, and they have worked together ever since. Firmin later merged with senior executives at Melville Group. During his apprenticeship, Brian had the opportunity to work on Grade I and II listed buildings, including the complete underpinning and refurbishment of The Red Lion Hotel in Colchester (1989-1991), as well as the conversion of the 'Bridge House' on the Isle of Dogs into luxury flats. He used skills learned from his boat building training, along with his father, to complete these projects.
Firmin also undertook refurbishment works on Co-Op funeral parlors, a 10,000-bottling plant at St. Ivel (Walthamstow), and new-build houses in Romford, all of which benefited from Brian's exceptional craftsmanship. After leaving Firmin to pursue a self-employed career as a Master Carpenter & Joiner, Brian became a trusted local community member, working for celebrities and UHNWIs in Bishops Avenue, Hampstead Garden Suburb, and Highgate. His projects included the installation of bulletproof windows, secret rooms, bomb-proof offices, hardwood flooring, paneling, and intricate marquetry panels in hardwood floors for notable individuals such as Salman Rushdie, trusted to work on the home residence of the ex-head of MI5 and celebrities including: Ivan Sharrock (The Last Emperor & Blood Diamond - Films).
Brian was instrumental in the complete refurbishment of both Harrods Cafe and The Atlantic Bar and Grill (Glasshouse St. London), where he refitted the Circle bar for a music video featuring Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey. These high-profile projects were executed with absolute discretion and required Brian's dedication of over 12 hours a day. Additionally, Brian was entrusted to oversee the ongoing works for all four of KPMG’s London offices in Salisbury Square, Dorset Rise, Puddle Dock, and Farringdon Road. Here, he played a pivotal role in constructing and modifying the senior partner's offices in relation to the Shell Oil merger and other highly confidential, multi-billion-pound contracts, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and trust throughout.
Brian moved to Wimbledon as he was headhunted by an decorated entrepreneur who owed an established South West London Property refurbishment company to work on loft conversions, extensions, and high-end refurbishments in SW London, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Clapham, Fulham, Cobham, and Oxshott.
He was then subcontracted to the main contractor for the NHS. Over the last 5-6 years, including throughout Covid-19, Brian completed newly built hospitals, care centers, high-dependency units, and theaters. His exceptional work on a £35m hospital refurbishment resulted in no snagging issues, impressing the project management team at the NHS leading to four additional NHS contracts. The Clerk of
Works was confident in Brian's team's work allowing them to snag the project one month before completion
Something that is unheard of in the building industry.
In addition to his work in healthcare, Brian has also completed refurbishments for Sam’s nightclub in Brentwood, Essex, and the Great Northern and Great Eastern Hotels in London. He built and fitted out the New Orleans paddle steamer in Henley Upon Thames in 1999 for J. Hobbs & Sons, restored and refurbished the Thames Barge Lady of the Lea in St. Katherine's Marina, London, and restored and refurbished the Topsail Schooner (Helga), located at Gallons Marina in East Londo and 'The Elizabethan' paddlesteamer previously owned by Sir Richard Branson which would cruise along the River Thames and open its substantial 'skylight' (worked on by Brian and John) to reveal the night sky to diners on the upper deck.
More recently, Brian has worked at Virgin Media O2 sites, replacing fire doors and carrying out remedial works. He has completed various works at Canary Wharf Offices, including 170 remedial fire doors, high-end front doors for private clients, and new and remedial doors in hospitals, clinics & educational facilities.
Brian and John have completed over 200 remedial fire doors at Legoland (WIndsor) and carried out residentail refurbishments Richmond, Sloane Avenue and Whitechapel.
Brian has worked as a Carpenter and Joiner ever since completing his indentured apprenticeship (30+ years). He has lived in Wimbledon since 2008 and has worked locally in South West London and London generally. Brian has rejoined John in 2022 working on numerous residential and commercial projects, including the boudoir of Victoria - home of 'The Beckhams' fitting of an oak staircase in a £70million home remaining the sole carpenters completing the 'POWER UP' (seven generations of gaming) exhibition at the the History Museum in Kensington, London.
More recently (2025) John has assisted Brian in designing a bespoke loft conversion concept in a conservation are which was previously refused by the local authority when presented by the client' previous architects. Our company is currently also contracted to carry out the works on the loft conversion.
The combination of Brian and John's experience & skills continue to benefit the company after John had managed and or built over 300 loft conversions in amongst other carpentry works since 1999. Some of which, were with Brian, as often, Brian was otherwise engaged and or working on other projects.
Due to the absence of qualified British trades in SW London (and beyond) Brian has introduced a training initiative to give individuals first-hand experience on residential building works. We also fund and support formal health and safety training & certification so that our trainees can work on any site anywhere.
This encourages both, males and females to participate and feel part of a career foundation.
Brian enjoys family time, travel, tennis, fitness, friends and a relaxed way of life, concentrating on work, promoting his initiative and hobby of initially building a track race car, now transformed as road legal!
Works carried out in 2025
Past work carried out in 2024
Past work carried out in 2023
Past work carried out in 2022
Please see Projects page for references and photos
London Carpentry Specialists
Registered Address at 27 Old Gloucester Street WC1N 3AX
Copyright © 2025 London Carpentry Specialists - All Rights Reserved.
Registerd in England & Wales 15996482