Building Conservation & Landscape
About Heruteu Ltd
A Stonework Journey
Traditional Stonework Specialists
Heruteu Ltd uniquely blends generations of authentic traditional skill with a bold and innovative contemporary artistic vision to creating exceptional stonework. From the rugged beauty of the North East coast, where enduring craftsmanship is part of the landscape's heritage, we now deliver award-winning projects across the UK and Europe.
Our journey began in 2010 as Carroll and Mullan Stonework, which later became Heruteu Ltd, founded by lifelong friends Simon and Ryan who shared a dedication to the enduring beauty of stone. This commitment was ignited by travels through Europe and a fascination with the grandeur of mountains and historical architecture. With a focus on mastering the ancient craft of dry stone walling, we embarked on a journey to build not just structures, but a legacy, side by side, always striving for quality and craftsmanship that respects the materials and the environment. Our early projects, like the work at Urpeth South Farm barn conversions (near Beamish Museum) and Woodside at Dalton Piercy were marked by an intense period of learning and skill perfection. This experience reinforced our core belief: that authentic quality and craftsmanship must always take precedence. The pursuit of excellence led to a significant milestone when Simon achieved his advanced Level 3 dry stone walling qualification in 2012. During this period, we also showcased our techniques at the World Skills Fair in London in partnership with the Hartlepool FE college, demonstrating our dedication to the craft on a national stage.
Expanding Our Expertise (2013-2017): Building on Tradition, Embracing Mentorship
Building on our commitment to expertise, Ryan achieved his Advanced Level 3 dry stone walling qualification in 2013. A pivotal moment in our development occurred from late 2012 into 2013 with intensive training under renowned craftsman Terrence Lee of Terrence Lee Conservation. This connection was forged through our participation in 'The Repair and Maintenance of Pre-1919 Buildings,' a training course taught by Terrence Lee and coordinated by Andie Harris for the Heritage Skills Initiative (HSI). Impressed by our dedication and the quality of our initial collaborations, Terrence Lee became a crucial mentor, significantly broadening our expertise into traditional masonry and lime mortar techniques – skills grounded in real-world application.Our continued collaboration with Terrence Lee on various projects, alongside Andie Harris's similar recognition, then led to a remarkable opportunity to work with DSWA master craftsman Andrew Loudon. Working alongside both Terrence Lee Conservation and Andrew Loudon on prestigious projects like the Isle of Skye Sanctuary and the Brackenrig project (Both DSWA Pinnacle Award winner's) provided invaluable hands-on experience, shaping our understanding of complex projects and exceptional standards.
Our direct involvement in these collaborations, coupled with our advocacy for master craftsmanship exemplified by essays detailing our career journey, helped bridge the connection between HSI and DSWA. This directly contributed to the establishment of a DSWA bursary scheme, which has proudly trained many working wallers across the U.K. over the past decade. Ryan's contributions were crucial during this period, further enriched by a year spent living and working in Switzerland alongside Stefan Meier, adding a valuable international dimension to our skillset. This unique ability to seamlessly integrate traditional dry stone walling with broader masonry skills, gained through these invaluable experiences, allows us to approach projects with both technical mastery and an appreciation for sustainable and aesthetically driven solutions. Our work in Switzerland, beginning in 2014, introduced new skills and techniques, including working on the Rougemont Hotel, Grand St Bernard Monastery and Èglise de Cordeliers in Fribourg. This period also saw the beginning of our long-term involvement in the Isle of Man, where we were approached by Andrew Inglis, the former head gardener of Balmoral Estate, who was establishing what is now the Shuttleworth Botanical Gardens. Our initial work at the Shuttleworth Botanical Gardens involved the Orchard project, executed according to a master plan by Gross Max Landscape Architects, Edinburgh. Here, we successfully advocated for sustainable and cost-effective dry stone techniques over concrete. We achieved this by presenting a dossier of evidence, including our completed projects, to engineers and designers, thereby demonstrating our commitment to innovative and environmentally conscious solutions. These diverse experiences forged our expertise and resilience, demonstrating our ability to adapt and deliver exceptional results in various environments and skill sets.
Artistic Vision and Collaboration (2018-2020): Functional Art and Pushing Boundaries
Our work in the Isle of Man evolved beyond traditional construction, leading to exciting opportunities for artistic expression and collaboration in often secluded and inspiring settings. Projects like the Amphitheater (one of the largest dry stone structures in the U.K), the Formations Wall, the Potage Garden, and the Nautilus Garden showcased our ability to integrate stonework seamlessly with landscape design, creating harmonious and visually stunning spaces that feel both ancient and contemporary. Working closely with Andrew Inglis, we pushed the boundaries of what's possible with stone, blending ancient techniques with a bold contemporary artistic vision. This pursuit of artistic freedom within our craft extends to our collaborations with artists such as Pascal Zorbist in Switzerland, where we explore the expressive potential of stone in unique and thought-provoking ways. We believe in "functional art," using sustainable materials to create pieces that are both beautiful and serve a purpose, enriching the landscapes they inhabit. This period marked a significant shift in our focus, recognising the immense potential for artistic innovation within our traditional skills.
Foundation, Heritage, Vision for the Future (2021-Present):
Scaling Ambition and Strategic Growth
Recent years have presented both challenges and opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit required adaptability and resilience, allowing us to take on local projects in and around Hartlepool. Simultaneously, we navigated the complexities of continuing significant projects in the UK and Switzerland, including the challenging Alp Walop wall project (Stones and Stories - Stiftung Urgenstein) and the Grand Cle chalet and barn project – our first sole commission in Switzerland – demonstrating our growing capacity for larger-scale endeavors.
Our commitment to artistic collaboration continues, with ongoing projects alongside artists such as Yves Laudette, exploring the expressive potential of stone in unique and thought-provoking ways. This is powerfully exemplified by the Turtle Stone Project, which saw us invite Swiss and German stonemasons, including Thomas Murkowsky, Tobias Knupfer, and Pascal Zobrist, to the Shuttleworth Botanical Gardens. There, they collaborated on designing pieces for the gardens and fostered intellectual exchange through workshops and talks. Moreover, our dedication to social impact is exemplified by our involvement in the "Building Walls, Breaking Walls" initiative, a peace-building program led by Stiftung Urgenstein that brings together young volunteers from historically conflicted communities to foster understanding through collaborative stonework.
In 2024, Carroll and Mullan Stonework transitioned to Heruteu Ltd., a name that reflects our deep connection to the history and heritage of our home. "Heruteu" is the original Old English name for Hartlepool, meaning "Stag Island," a magnesian limestone peninsula on which old Hartlepool is built upon. A reminder of the enduring presence of stone in the region's landscape and history. As Heruteu Ltd., we remain committed to what we call "salt of the earth craftsmanship," sustainability, innovation, and artistic collaboration. Never forgetting our roots, Heruteu was awarded the contract from the DSWA (UK) to renovate and update the exam pieces at the DSWA National Training Centre at Crooklands. We also contribute to our local region by restoring projects such as the St. Matthews Church Boundary in Waskerley – the only gas-lit church remaining in England due to its remote location in the Durham Moors.
Looking to the future, we are excited to expand our team, and we are fortunate to have the ongoing collaboration and expertise of Stefan Meier, who joins us as a Director, bringing invaluable experience and strategic insight to our ambitious growth plans. Our strategic development is also significantly bolstered by the involvement of Michael Poole, a distinguished local businessman, magistrate, and the current High Sheriff of the County Palatine of Durham. Michael has been a key advisor, providing business mentoring services since the initial setup of Heruteu, and now offers ongoing strategic assistance with a view to joining our board as a non-executive director in the near future. While our design ethos remains grounded in tactile exploration with clay and pencil, we also leverage modern graphic design capabilities for digital representation and have established trusted partnerships to provide detailed BIM models and other digital services for projects when required. We are dedicated to fostering the next generation of skilled stoneworkers in our region, ensuring these vital crafts continue to thrive and contribute to our cultural landscape. We invite you to explore our portfolio and discover how Heruteu Ltd.'s award-winning craftsmanship and unique artistic approach can bring your vision in stone to life in a sustainable and beautiful way, no matter the scale.
Meet The Team
Simon G Carroll
Director
Stefan Meier
Swiss Director
Ryan B Mullan
Director
Michael P Poole
Business Advisor