About
Jonathan Schiavone
Founder and Company Director
Jonathan Schiavone specialises in the conservation of historic furniture, wooden artefacts, and architectural structures. His professional interests also extend to computational photography and digital analysis applied to cultural heritage, supporting research, documentation, and public engagement.
The story so far
Early years
Italy
Raised in Italy, Jonathan developed strong manual skills from an early age while working on building sites within the family business. During his secondary education, he cultivated a critical understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and construction techniques, becoming increasingly drawn to the quality and cultural value of wooden objects. This led him to undertake an apprenticeship in a cabinetmaker’s workshop, where he acquired both traditional and contemporary woodworking skills.
Training
University of Turin · La Venaria Reale
Driven by a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and heritage care, Jonathan specialised in the conservation and restoration of antique furniture and wooden artefacts. He was awarded a Master of Arts in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage by the University of Turin, completing a five-year programme in collaboration with the La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre, where he undertook specialist training and participated in numerous supervised restoration projects.
Alongside material conservation, he developed expertise in digital documentation and computational photography, applying advanced data acquisition, 3D modelling, and visualisation techniques to support the analysis and interpretation of cultural heritage.
2012
The WoodKeeper: the origins
In 2012, Jonathan relocated to Scotland, where he established himself as an independent conservator and founded The WoodKeeper. Since then, he has built strong professional collaborations with various institutions and conservation companies, contributing to a wide range of heritage conservation projects.
2020
The WoodKeeper Ltd.
In 2020, the company expanded in response to sustained growth and was incorporated as a limited company. This milestone was accompanied by the formation of a three-person team and the establishment of a new workshop in Slamannan. During this period, the company operated both as a main contractor and, where required, in collaboration with specialist subcontractors for more complex or multidisciplinary projects. The business continued to develop steadily, both in scale and scope, until 2024.
2024
The Swiss period
In 2024, Jonathan relocated to Switzerland to pursue new professional opportunities within the heritage sector. He began working as a conservator with Reding Werner AG, contributing his experience and specialist expertise to the conservation of Swiss heritage buildings and artefacts. In this role, he has continued to apply conservation-led principles, traditional craftsmanship, and advanced technical knowledge within a new cultural and professional context.
2026
The WoodKeeper 2.0
Building on this international experience, Jonathan has decided to return to Scotland in 2026, with the aim of contributing to the preservation of Scottish heritage and re-establishing The WoodKeeper Ltd. Bringing with him expanded knowledge, technical expertise, and a broader professional perspective, he will continue to develop the practice while applying refined skills and experience gained abroad to conservation projects within the Scottish historic environment.
Our suppliers
The WoodKeeper Ltd. works with a carefully selected network of heritage-grade suppliers, ensuring access to historically appropriate, high-quality materials specifically suited to conservation and restoration work. These partnerships allow us to source compatible timber, traditional finishes, specialist glazing, and other conservation-approved products, supporting interventions that respect original fabric and meet the highest professional and conservation standards.
AGC – FINEO vacuum glazing
Accoya
Teknos
Renner
Allbäck Linseed Oil Paint
Partners and collaborations
The WoodKeeper Ltd. works in collaboration with trusted craftsmen, specialised conservation companies, and recognised heritage organisations, including bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Glasgow Museums. These partnerships allow us to combine specialist expertise and traditional craftsmanship with established heritage standards, ensuring that conservation work is carried out responsibly and in line with best practice.
- National Trust for Scotland
- Glasgow Life – Glasgow Museums
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust
- Duart Castle – Clan Maclean Association
- Il Prato – Publishers
- FREW Conservation
- Andrew Bradley Stonemason
- Martin Hadlington Conservation Architect
- Reding Werner AG
In the press
The Courier · 23 January 2025
Harecraig House: Prominent Broughty Ferry clifftop home is a labour of love for its new owners
A feature on the restoration of Harecraig House in Broughty Ferry, which mentions our window restoration and FINEO glazing.
“When Heritage calls, The WoodKeeper is at your service.”
Tell us about your building, object or collection. We are happy to give professional advice, whatever the size of the project.