Jim Ibbetson

Production Director
and Co-founder

Jim's a founding partner of the Workhaus and has a Masters degree in museum and exhibition design. Having worked extensively across the UK and Europe in exhibition, stage and furniture design, he is also a skilled carpenter with hands-on experience of a wide range of projects. He remains ridiculously enthusiastic about craft, and passionate about all things creative.

Charlie Burman

Marketing Director
and Co-founder

Cut from the same cloth as Jim, the Workhaus's other main man has had an equally varied career in theatre, film and television. As a skilled scenic artist and illustrator he has designed countless stage sets and brought fresh thinking to several major events and exhibition installations. Once both a performer and a project manager, Charlie now brings creative flair and cool efficiency to every challenge.

Julia Cooper

Office Administrator

Julia is used to dealing with dramas. Having worked in wardrobe and costume for theatre and TV, Julia has first-hand experience of delivering demanding projects to tight deadlines. This level-headedness has taken her to Glyndebourne Opera Company, Opera North and YTV. And made her the ideal choice for office manager in a busy creative company. She remains one of our coolest heads.

Graham Paylor

Project Manager /
Senior Draughtsman

Graham is a genius problem solver. His tried and tested expertise and rigorous approach to projects has made him a key ingredient in a wide range of construction and fit-out contracts. With 20 years' industry experience as a carpenter /draughtsman, he knows what can be done, and how to get round the things that can't.

Neil McGuinness

Draughtsman /
CNC Operator

Detail is Neil's speciality. As a gifted draughtsman he makes all the difference to production drawings and brings a refreshing originality to the design development process. Having transformed a wide selection of Workhaus projects, he remains a creative catalyst for the rest of the team. Just don't mention his tea-making skills...

Stuart Croysdale

Project Manager /
Draughtsman

Like Neil, Stuart has earned his stripes on construction and fit out contracts in both the UK and Europe. This proven practical experience, coupled with a whirlwind of creativity allows him to bring something ‘extra' to design development and production drawings. When he's not making our clients happy, he's most likely to be found making music with his band.

Support Specialists

No team talk would be complete without mentioning our workshop team. A solid group of highly skilled craftsmen who take a pride in what they do. Solidarity, teamwork and enjoying what you do are the cornerstones of the workshop ethos. There are also the specialist suppliers and subcontractors built up over the years. When you employ The Workhaus, you also get a network of linked companies whose expertise and loyalty can be called on for your project. And we’re more than happy to learn from your team too, and work alongside your specialists to get the best possible results.