Personnel

Back row L-R: Filip Serbu, Nicholas von Bandemer, Siegfried Auer, Josh Anderson, Philip Shrimpton, Ulrike Schmidt, Roger Kirchner, Billy Gleed

Front row L-R: Jeanette Ellerbeck, Lorcan Gorman, Geoff McMahon (Managing Director), Santiago Muñoz Barbosa, Sosuke Okubo, Michael Blighton (Tonal Director)

Geoff McMahon

Geoff McMahon started working at what was then N.P. Mander Ltd in 1988, having graduated in Ancient and Modern History from the University of Oxford. As a trainee he attended the London College of Furniture and the Technical College for Organ Building at Ludwigsburg in Germany. On acquiring his Gesellenbrief he moved into the drawing office, working under the supervision of both Stephen Bicknell and Didier Grassin. From 1997 to 2005 he was himself Head Designer, taking on the responsibility of such projects as the chancel organ at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta; the new three-manual tracker organ for St Peter’s Church, St Albans; and the rebuilding of the Willis/Harrison organ at the Royal Albert Hall. He then left the company for a thirteen year period spent as a house-husband and part-time freelance designer, before returning to take up his current role at the end of 2018. His ambition to pursue a career in organ building was first kindled as a chorister at King’s College Cambridge, and he still sings regularly as a bass layclerk in St Albans Cathedral Choir.

Michael Blighton

Michael has been with Mander Organs since 1980 and most of this time has been spent in the voicing shop. He is well versed in the techniques of both reed and flue voicing and over the years has acquired considerable experience in a variety of tonal styles through his work with the musicians who are our customers. His meticulous care and attention to detail are evident as much in the matching of new pipework to old in the field of restoration, as in the creation of new instruments. He was entirely responsible for the tonal work carried out during the refurbishment of the organ at the Royal Albert Hall as well as that of the St Paul's Cathedral organ, including the provision of five new high pressure reeds for the instrument's Dome Section.

Michael has served two terms on the board of the Institute of British Organ Building and is currently a member of the Institute’s Accreditations Committee.

Office Staff

A smooth running administration is essential for the efficient running of any business. Lorcan Gorman is our Company Secretary who keeps a sharp eye on financial matters in the company.

Rest of Staff

The remaining staff at Mander Organs encompasses a wide range of skills, permitting us to carry out every aspect in the diverse art of building pipe organs Some of them have gained experience by working in other companies and some have trained with Mander Organs and been with the company for many years.

Josh Anderson - Designer and Tuner (joined 2017)

Siegfried Auer - General organ builder (joined 1992)

Nicholas Von Bandemer - General organ builder (joined 1995)

Santiago Muñoz Barbosa - General organ builder (joined 1999)

Jeanette Ellerbeck - Our vital tea maker & housekeeper! (joined 2004)

Billy Gleed - General organ builder (joined 2010)

Roger Kirchner - Pipe maker (joined 2009)

Sosuke Okubo - Worked at Mander Organs 1992-96, Japanese representative

Leonardo Pisu - General organ builder (joined 2019)

Filip Serbu - General organ builder (joined 2015)

Philip Shrimpton - General organ builder (joined 2008)