How Pinnacle Conservation And The City Of York Council Are Building A Future For Historic Skills

Ever walked around a city like York and marvelled at the incredible old buildings? You know the ones – the grand cathedrals, the wonky timber-framed shops, the ancient city walls. It's easy to take them for granted, but keeping them standing and looking brilliant is a massive job. It takes special skills, a lot of passion, and a plan for the future. In York, a local conservation firm is doing just that, not only preserving the past but also building careers for the next generation of craftspeople, all with a bit of help from the City of York Council.

A business with a difference

Let’s talk about Pinnacle Conservation. This isn't just any building company. Started back in 2019 by its managing director, Adam Hickey, this firm is all about conservation. That means they work on historic buildings, using traditional techniques to repair and restore them. Think about it – you can't just slap some modern plaster on a wall that's been around since the 1300s. You need experts who understand old materials and methods. The team at Pinnacle has worked on some of Yorkshire’s most famous landmarks, from Castle Howard to York Minster. But what makes this business really stand out is its commitment to its people.

Adam Hickey made a big decision early on. Instead of hiring sub-contractors for each job, he wanted to employ his staff directly. This meant he could really invest in them, especially the apprentices. Today, the firm has 58 employees, and nine of them are apprentices learning the ropes. And they’re not just learning valuable skills; they’re also being paid the Real Living Wage, a commitment the company made as part of the Good Business Charter, a scheme championed by the local council. This approach shows a real focus on sustainable growth and looking after the people who do the work.

Bringing history back to life on goodramgate

The latest project for the Pinnacle team has been a fascinating one at 60 Goodramgate. This three-storey brick house, built way back in 1790, is part of something even older called Lady Row. This row of houses, first built in 1316, is said to be the earliest of its kind in York. That's some serious history! The work here isn't just about repairs; it’s about passing on knowledge from one generation to the next. Two brilliant stories have come out of this project.

First, there’s Syrian-born Hibatullah Ali. She's on a six-month placement with Pinnacle, funded by Historic England. She’s been carefully painting the narrow staircase walls with a special lime-based paint. It's a tricky job that requires a delicate touch. Working alongside her is her manager, Valerio Caputi, a man with an incredible CV – his early career in Italy even included work on St Peter's Basilica in Rome! He later completed a Masters Apprenticeship with support from Pinnacle, showing how the firm helps people at all stages of their career to develop their skills. The story of Hibatullah Ali is a testament to the inclusive nature of the firm and the opportunities it creates for people from all backgrounds.

Then there's Joe Thompson. He decided that A-levels weren't for him and chose a hands-on career in construction instead. On the upper floor at 60 Goodramgate, he’s been fitting a kitchen, learning the craft from an experienced joiner, Kelly Mutton. Joe Thompson hopes to start a full apprenticeship with Pinnacle soon, turning his passion into a proper career. These stories show that an apprenticeship can be a fantastic path for young people looking to gain practical skills and build a solid future.

The support behind the success

Running a business, especially one focused on something as specialised as historic conservation, isn't easy. Adam Hickey admits that it can sometimes feel lonely. That's where the support from the City of York Council has made a real difference. Louise Saw, from the council’s Economic Growth team, has been a key contact for Adam, providing guidance and pointing him towards programmes that have helped the business grow. Having this kind of support from the York Council has been a game-changer for the firm.

What did this support actually look like? It wasn't just a friendly chat now and then. The council helped Pinnacle in some very practical ways:

• Guidance on tendering: This is about how to bid for work contracts. The Innovate York programme helped Adam understand the process, giving his firm a better chance of winning important jobs.
• Leadership coaching: Running a growing team of people requires strong leadership skills. The council connected Adam with coaching funded through the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
• Good Business Charter membership: By encouraging Pinnacle to join, the council helped the firm formalise its commitment to being a responsible employer.

This kind of targeted support is vital for small and medium-sized businesses. It helps them navigate challenges and build the confidence to expand. The growth of this York-based business is a prime example of what can be achieved when a local firm gets the right backing from its local council. The future looks bright for the conservation skills in the city.

Building skills for the future

For Adam Hickey, this is all about the future. He saw that many of the most experienced craftspeople were nearing retirement and that their incredible skills could be lost forever if someone didn't act. By directly employing people and investing in apprenticeships, he’s creating a pipeline of talent for his company and for the city of York.

Adam said:

“When we started, we had some really experienced craftspeople, some with 40+ years’ experience, but I knew they were mostly going to hang up their boots up in five to ten years’ time. I saw that if we didn’t invest in the next generation, skills were going to be lost and without directly-employed staff you can’t train up apprentices. We employed apprentices almost from day one and my most proud achievement has been people coming up through the apprenticeship system.”

“It’s has been incredible the support I’ve had from City of York Council over the years. Sometimes you feel lonely when you’re running your own business and to have that support in place has been great. I’ve had a lot of help and Louise has been instrumental in pointing me in direction for so many programmes.”

The council shares this vision. Councillor Pete Kilbane from the City of York Council praised the work Pinnacle is doing. He said:

“It’s a great privilege for us to work with companies like Pinnacle who do such fantastic work to restore and maintain our fine historic buildings and I am delighted we’ve been able to offer them key business support. It’s great to see the opportunities they are giving our young people to learn the specialist skills and crafts which are so important to the future of the city.”

This collaboration ensures that York's precious buildings will be in safe hands for many years to come, thanks to a new generation of skilled people. The apprenticeship programme is clearly a success.