Heather has been restoring fine art now for over 20 years, over which time she's established a reputation as a highly accomplished practitioner who works to museum standards.

After studying fine art at Camberwell School of Art and textiles at Middlesex Polytechnic, Heather served an extensive apprentice in art restoration under her father, John Simpson.

During this time she developed a thorough understanding in all aspects of fine art restoration. She also specialised in the intricate and painstaking craft of restoring the sort of ornate frames and gilded mirrors that grace many a gallery and museum wall.

Her main interest is the conservation of paintings, both on canvas and on panel, but she's equally skilled working with paper, embroidery and textiles, as well as on mirrors and frames.

Heather's clients range from art galleries to private individuals, and her work can be anything from insurance commissions to in depth restoration of large private collections.

Similarly, the range of artworks she works on can range from the priceless to the sentimental, from Old Masters to contemporary greats. Over her career Heather has restored works by Gainsborough, Holbein and Anish Kapoor, but will be equally meticulous whatever the value and provenance of the piece.

After a thorough examination to assess exactly what's needed, each artwork will be worked on over a period of normally two to three months, or longer, depending on the complexity of the job.

A painting can last forever if it's looked after but will suffer if left untouched. All artwork will at some point suffer from a natural ageing process, while any piece can be damaged accidentally.

What remains true for all art is that it must be looked after properly to remain in the best possible condition for future generations to enjoy.