Welcome to Bishop & Son Organ Builders

Bishop and Son Organ Builders has over 225 years of tradition and experience in the art and science of organ building. We build, restore and maintain organs of any size and style from large cathedral instruments to small chamber and continuo models.

The firm continues to maintain the highest traditions and quality in both raw materials and craftsmanship. Rules that were set down by its founder, James Chapman Bishop, in the earliest days of the firm, state that only the highest quality materials be used in its workshops. Each generation of craftsmen apprenticed or employed with Bishop & Son has been responsible for the refinement of the company’s skills and individual approach to the work used today. The firm continues to maintain its tradition of high-quality materials and craftsmanship; thus continuing the ethos established by its founder – J.C. Bishop.

An enthusiastic team of skilled craftsmen are employed to undertake projects all over the country and abroad.

Meet the Team

Click the links below to find out more about the key members of our team

Simon Pulham
Ipswich Manager

Gary Rogers
Ipswich Foreman

Daniel Spencer
London Manager

Dr Maurice Merrell
Principal

Adrian Chang
London Foreman

Andrew Crawford
Office Manager

Simon Pulham - Ipswich Manager

Simon joined the staff at Ipswich on leaving school in 1973. He is actively involved in the local music scene, including 27 years as choirmaster at his local church.  As a keen librarian, his interests include the history of the Bishop & Son firm and its work, as well as the Theatre organ preservation movement.

Gary Rogers - Ipswich Foreman

Joined the firm shortly after leaving school in 1979. Served an apprenticeship and became a bench hand. Here he learnt the traditional practices and techniques, working on projects both in the UK and in Holland.  During this period, he was pleased to work alongside some "old hands" who's knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. 

1989 saw a mid-term career change, venturing into the world of fibre optics, specialising in laser op amps and receivers. He returned to the firm in 1997 with a renewed interest in electronic switching systems and advances made in technology, particularly those promoting and enhancing the versatility of the instrument. Although not an organist, a keen musical interest has always been a driving force and as a tuner, travelling and meeting customers has always played an important role. 

Daniel Spencer FISOB MIMIT - London Manager (Director)

A musician and chorister from a young age, Daniel has always had an interest in the pipe organ. He came to Bishop & Son from college where he studied IT and served his apprenticeship at the London Works under the watchful eye of a brilliant team led by Maurice Merrell. He took an interest in all areas of the industry and soon after completing his apprenticeship, became responsible for the London tuning rounds.

In 2012 he became the London Manager and company secretary and was then responsible for many of the day-to-day operations of the firm and the oversight of all main contracts run from our London site. He is now a Director of the company and oversees all operations from our Head office in London.

In his early career, Daniel made a special study of the voicing techniques and styles of our firm over its history and has developed that by working closely with Maurice Merrell in our London Voicing shop where he continues to develop our techniques and experiments with new ideas and continued study.

Dr Maurice Merrell FRSA FISOB - Principal

Maurice started his apprenticeship with Bishop & Son in 1951 under the directorship of the Late Hilda Mary “Miss” Suggate with Percy Reed as General Manager. He worked closely with the late Tom Walker (Son of C S Walker), the then London Manager and having spent several years in charge of the firms Midlands and Welsh rounds as well as covering for other reps, he began to take over the responsibilities of the London Manager gradually as Tom Walker’s health deteriorated. He became a joint director of the company under Miss Suggate with John Budgen and has been responsible for the company since her death, he has been in with B&S for 7 decades!

Starting out as a young musician, his first organist job at the age of 14 was at Saint James’ Bermondsey, he moved from there to St. Peters Islington with a boys’ choir of 14. Maurice served as organist at St. Georges Bloomsbury for over 30 years and for much of this time was Churchwarden and Treasurer.

His other interests are many and varied, including a number of years with the Church Lads Brigade as an instructor where he obtained the rank of captain and founding or sitting on the governing bodies of many organisations or examining music students in various disciplines. Maurice has one Music Doctorate and two Honorary Music Doctorates and has spent much of his career in music and organ building promoting the education of young musicians and tradesmen to the highest standards.

Adrian Chang BSc MISOB - London Foreman

Adrian, from a young age, attended his local Methodist Church, where his interest in organs began, singing hymns with the chorus of sounds from the organ. He studied aerospace technology at the university of Hertfordshire and still has a great interest in all kinds of aircraft. During his time at university, he took on piloting studies and continues to fly light aircraft as a hobby.

He enjoys many sporting activities including football and basketball in the winter months and golf and crocket in the summer. Adrian served his apprenticeship under the guidance and knowledge of Maurice Merrell and Daniel Spencer. In early 2020, Adrian became the Foreman of the London branch and oversees the London staff during their daily activities.

Andrew Crawford BA CISOB - Office Manager

Andrew holds a degree in History and Geography from Sunderland University, and worked for the Post Office in County Durham after his studies.  He moved to London in 2010 to work as a Pastoral Assistant at Saint Matthew’s Westminster. Since then, he has been a Parish Administrator, and most recently verger at Saint Stephen’s Westminster. He has worked at parishes in Pimlico, Stepney & North Marylebone.  He joined the firm in 2019 as part time administrator, and in 2021 became full time office manager. Since 2016 he has been the Sunday verger at Saint James’ Church, Paddington, where he is a PCC Member, and a member of Paddington Deanery Synod.  When not frequenting churches, he can be found in one of the many museums and galleries, drinking tea & eating cake, or at one of the many concerts London has to offer. 

Meet the Team

Find out more about the key members of our team

Simon Pulham
Ipswich Manager

Simon joined the staff at Ipswich on leaving school in 1973. He is actively involved in the local music scene, including 27 years as choirmaster at his local church.  As a keen librarian, his interests include the history of the Bishop & Son firm and its work, as well as the Theatre organ preservation movement.

Gary Rogers
Ipswich Foreman

Joined the firm shortly after leaving school in 1979. Served an apprenticeship and became a bench hand. Here he learnt the traditional practices and techniques, working on projects both in the UK and in Holland.  During this period, he was pleased to work alongside some "old hands" who's knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. 

1989 saw a mid-term career change, venturing into the world of fibre optics, specialising in laser op amps and receivers. He returned to the firm in 1997 with a renewed interest in electronic switching systems and advances made in technology, particularly those promoting and enhancing the versatility of the instrument. Although not an organist, a keen musical interest has always been a driving force and as a tuner, travelling and meeting customers has always played an important role. 

Daniel Spencer
London Manager

A musician and chorister from a young age, Daniel has always had an interest in the pipe organ. He came to Bishop & Son from college where he studied IT and served his apprenticeship at the London Works under the watchful eye of a brilliant team led by Maurice Merrell. He took an interest in all areas of the industry and soon after completing his apprenticeship, became responsible for the London tuning rounds.

In 2012 he became the London Manager and company secretary and was then responsible for many of the day-to-day operations of the firm and the oversight of all main contracts run from our London site. He is now a Director of the company and oversees all operations from our Head office in London.

In his early career, Daniel made a special study of the voicing techniques and styles of our firm over its history and has developed that by working closely with Maurice Merrell in our London Voicing shop where he continues to develop our techniques and experiments with new ideas and continued study.

Dr Maurice Merrell
Principal

Maurice started his apprenticeship with Bishop & Son in 1951 under the directorship of the Late Hilda Mary “Miss” Suggate with Percy Reed as General Manager. He worked closely with the late Tom Walker (Son of C S Walker), the then London Manager and having spent several years in charge of the firms Midlands and Welsh rounds as well as covering for other reps, he began to take over the responsibilities of the London Manager gradually as Tom Walker’s health deteriorated. He became a joint director of the company under Miss Suggate with John Budgen and has been responsible for the company since her death, he has been in with B&S for 7 decades!

Starting out as a young musician, his first organist job at the age of 14 was at Saint James’ Bermondsey, he moved from there to St. Peters Islington with a boys’ choir of 14. Maurice served as organist at St. Georges Bloomsbury for over 30 years and for much of this time was Churchwarden and Treasurer.

His other interests are many and varied, including a number of years with the Church Lads Brigade as an instructor where he obtained the rank of captain and founding or sitting on the governing bodies of many organisations or examining music students in various disciplines. Maurice has one Music Doctorate and two Honorary Music Doctorates and has spent much of his career in music and organ building promoting the education of young musicians and tradesmen to the highest standards.

Adrian Chang
London Foreman

Adrian, from a young age, attended his local Methodist Church, where his interest in organs began, singing hymns with the chorus of sounds from the organ. He studied aerospace technology at the university of Hertfordshire and still has a great interest in all kinds of aircraft. During his time at university, he took on piloting studies and continues to fly light aircraft as a hobby.

He enjoys many sporting activities including football and basketball in the winter months and golf and crocket in the summer. Adrian served his apprenticeship under the guidance and knowledge of Maurice Merrell and Daniel Spencer. In early 2020, Adrian became the Foreman of the London branch and oversees the London staff during their daily activities.

Andrew Crawford
Office Manager

Andrew holds a degree in History and Geography from Sunderland University, and worked for the Post Office in County Durham after his studies.  He moved to London in 2010 to work as a Pastoral Assistant at Saint Matthew’s Westminster. Since then, he has been a Parish Administrator, and most recently verger at Saint Stephen’s Westminster. He has worked at parishes in Pimlico, Stepney & North Marylebone.  He joined the firm in 2019 as part time administrator, and in 2021 became full time office manager. Since 2016 he has been the Sunday verger at Saint James’ Church, Paddington, where he is a PCC Member, and a member of Paddington Deanery Synod.  When not frequenting churches, he can be found in one of the many museums and galleries, drinking tea & eating cake, or at one of the many concerts London has to offer. 

Simon Pulham - Ipswich Manager

Joined the staff at Ipswich on leaving school in 1973. He is actively involved in the local music scene, including 27 years as choirmaster at his local church.  As a keen librarian, his interests include the history of the Bishop & Son firm and its work, as well as the Theatre organ preservation movement.

Gary Rogers - Ipswich Foreman

Joined the firm shortly after leaving school in 1979. Served an apprenticeship and became a bench hand. Here he learnt the traditional practices and techniques, working on projects both in the UK and in Holland.  During this period, he was pleased to work alongside some "old hands" who's knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. 

1989 saw a mid-term career change, venturing into the world of fibre optics, specialising in laser op amps and receivers. He returned to the fold in 1997 with a renewed interest in electronic switching systems and advances made in technology, particularly those promoting and enhancing the versatility of the instrument. Although not an organist, a keen musical interest has always been a driving force and as a tuner, travelling and meeting customers has always played an important role. 

Daniel Spencer FISOB MIMIT - London Manager (Director)

A musician and chorister from a young age, Daniel has always had an interest in the pipe organ. He came to Bishop & Son from college where he studied IT and served his apprenticeship at the London Works under the watchful eye of a brilliant team led by Maurice Merrell. He took an interest in all areas of the industry and soon after completing his apprenticeship, became responsible for the London tuning rounds.

In 2012 he became the London Manager and company secretary and was then responsible for many of the day-to-day operations of the firm and the oversight of all main contracts run from our London site. He is now a Director of the company and oversees all operations from our Head office in London.

In his early career, Daniel made a special study of the voicing techniques and styles of our firm over its history and has developed that further working closely with Maurice Merrell in our London Voicing shop where he continues to develop our techniques and experiments with new ideas and continued study.

Dr Maurice Merrell FRSA FISOB - Principal

Maurice started his apprenticeship with Bishop & Son in 1951 under the directorship of the Late Hilda Mary “Miss” Suggate with Percy Reed as General Manager. He worked closely with the late Tom Walker (Son of C S Walker), the then London Manager and having spent several years in charge of the firms Midlands and Welsh rounds as well as covering for other reps, he began to take over the responsibilities of the London Manager gradually as Tom Walker’s health deteriorated. He became a joint director of the company under Miss Suggate with John Budgen and has been responsible for the company since her death, he has been in with B&S for 7 decades!

Starting out as a young musician, his first organist job at the age of 14 was at Saint James’ Bermondsey, he moved from there to St. Peters Islington with a boys’ choir of 14. Maurice served as organist at St. Georges Bloomsbury for over 30 years and for much of this time was Churchwarden and Treasurer.

His other interests are many and varied, including a number of years with the Church Lads Brigade as an instructor where he obtained the rank of captain and founding or sitting on the governing bodies of many organisations or examining music students in various disciplines. Maurice has one Music Doctorate and two Honorary Music doctorates and has spent much of his career in music and organ building promoting the education of young musicians and tradesmen to the highest standards.

Adrian Chang BSc MISOB - London Foreman

Adrian, from a young age, attended his local Methodist Church, where his interest in organs began, singing hymns with the chorus of sounds from the organ. He studied aerospace technology at the university of Hertfordshire and still has a great interest in all kinds of aircraft. During his time at university, he took on piloting studies and continues to fly light aircraft as a hobby.

He enjoys many sporting activities including football and basketball in the winter months and golf and crocket in the summer. Adrian served his apprenticeship under the guidance and knowledge of Maurice Merrell and Daniel Spencer. In early 2020, Adrian became the Foreman of the London branch and oversees the London staff during their daily activities.

Andrew Crawford BA CISOB - Office Manager

Andrew holds a degree in History and Geography from Sunderland University, and worked for the Post Office in County Durham after his studies.  He moved to London in 2010 to work as a Pastoral Assistant at Saint Matthew’s Westminster. Since then, he has been a Parish Administrator, and most recently verger at Saint Stephen’s Westminster. He has worked at parishes in Pimlico, Stepney & North Marylebone.  He joined the firm in 2019 as part time administrator, and in 2021 became full time office manager. Since 2016 he has been the Sunday verger at Saint James’ Church, Paddington, where he is a PCC Member, and a member of Paddington Deanery Synod.  When not frequenting churches, he can be found in one of the many museums and galleries, drinking tea & eating cake, or at one of the many concerts London has to offer.