Meet the Team: The Skilled Craftspeople Behind Model Products Ltd

Meet the team at Model Products Ltd, we believe that exceptional scale models are born from exceptional people. Behind every precision replica, every intricate defence prototype, and every stunning architectural model is a team of dedicated professionals whose combined expertise, diverse backgrounds, and genuine camaraderie form the backbone of everything we create. Our studio floor is home to five talented individuals, each bringing their unique journey and specialist skills to the workshop. What sets this team apart is not just their individual brilliance, but the way they work together – supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and creating an environment where collaboration and craftsmanship thrive in equal measure.

Upon graduating, Tom worked as a freelance sculptor, exhibiting his original works and building a reputation within the contemporary art scene. His sculptural practice opened unexpected doors, leading him into the specialist world of mould making. This technical expertise proved invaluable when approached by high-end retailers, seeking someone capable of translating creative visions into tangible, showstopping displays. Tom found himself crafting elaborate window installations for prestigious establishments including Selfridges and other renowned department stores, where his work would capture the attention of passers-by on some of London’s busiest shopping streets.

These window display projects demanded an unusual combination of skills: the artistic sensibility to understand visual impact and narrative, the technical knowledge to create durable moulds and castings, and the practical understanding of how pieces would be installed and maintained in demanding retail environments. They allowed Tom to expand his capabilities, working with diverse materials and techniques whilst meeting commercial deadlines. He continues to maintain his connection to the art world by producing sculptural works for exhibitions when time permits – a practice that keeps his creative instincts sharp and brings fresh perspectives to his commercial work.

Tom’s transition to Model Products Ltd came about approximately two years ago. During a particularly busy period, the company actively sought additional talent and discovered Tom’s impressive portfolio online. Recognising that his blend of artistic flair, mould-making expertise, and commercial experience would be a perfect fit, they reached out accordingly. For Tom, the move represented something significant: the chance to continue working in model making whilst having genuine room for professional growth and advancement.

His previous company, whilst providing valuable experience, had been small with limited opportunities for progression. Model Products Ltd offered something different – a dynamic environment where his skills would be both utilised and developed, where he could contribute to diverse projects across multiple sectors, and where clear pathways for promotion existed. Two years on, Tom has become an integral part of the workshop, bringing his unique perspective to every project whilst absorbing new techniques from his colleagues. His sculptural background proves particularly valuable when projects require organic forms or artistic interpretation, whilst his mould-making expertise is called upon regularly for printing, casting and reproduction work. Most importantly, Tom has embraced the collaborative spirit of the Model Products team, recognising that the best results come from pooling knowledge and supporting one another through complex builds.

Meet the Team: Hector – Senior Model Maker and CAD Specialist

Hector brings to Model Products Ltd a depth of experience that few in the industry can match, having spent a decade honing his craft a prestigious architectural practice before deciding to broaden his horizons.

Hector attended the University of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield campus, where the Model Design programme provided him with foundational skills in both traditional craftsmanship and emerging digital technologies.

Graduating with solid grounding in model making fundamentals and basic CAD proficiency, Hector secured a position at Fosters – a global architectural powerhouse responsible for some of the most iconic buildings of our generation. For ten years, he worked within their specialist model making department, creating architectural models that would help communicate designs to clients, aid planning applications, and support the creative process of renowned architects. It was an education beyond anything a university could provide, immersing him in professional model making at the highest level whilst exposing him to modern industry techniques and processes.

Working at such a large, departmentalised organisation meant that Hector’s role was necessarily focused. The scale of Fosters meant that different teams handled different aspects of model production – separate departments existed for specific skill sets, meaning individual model makers often specialised in particular areas rather than overseeing entire builds. Whilst this allowed for extraordinary quality and efficiency on complex architectural projects, it also meant that certain practical skills remained outside Hector’s direct experience. However, what he gained was invaluable: expertise in architectural model making, an understanding of how to interpret and translate architectural drawings, and increasingly sophisticated CAD abilities. His proficiency in Rhino, in particular, grew substantially beyond his university foundation, as he applied the software to real-world projects with demanding specifications.

Over time, Hector progressed to supervisor level, taking on responsibilities that extended beyond the workshop bench. He became involved in project management, coordinating workflows, liaising with architectural teams, and ensuring that models were delivered on schedule and to specification. These management skills added to his professional toolkit, demonstrating how we could balance creative considerations with practical constraints.

After a decade, Hector took an opportunity to broaden his experience. As accomplished as his architectural work had become, he wanted to experience model making across different sectors. A common acquaintance introduced him to Model Products Ltd, and in February 2024 he joined the company – a decision that has proven transformative. At Model Products, Hector has been able to apply his extensive experience to a wider range of projects whilst simultaneously filling the gaps in his practical knowledge. The company’s structure means that team members engage with all aspects of a model build, and Hector has enthusiastically embraced opportunities to work with equipment that was handled by separate departments at his previous employer.

Three-dimensional printing, lathe operation, CNC machining, and routing have all become part of his expanded skillset. Where once these processes would have been handed off to specialist colleagues, Hector now operates the machinery himself, understanding how digital designs translate into physical reality. His CAD expertise, particularly in Rhino, has proven invaluable to the team, and he frequently supports colleagues with complex digital modelling challenges. Equally, his decade of architectural experience brings a level of precision and professionalism that benefits all projects. Hector exemplifies the Model Products ethos: a highly skilled individual who contributes his expertise whilst remaining eager to learn from others and share knowledge freely.

Meet the Team: Felician – Model Maker and Fabrication Specialist

Felician’s route to Model Products Ltd is perhaps the most unconventional of the team members –  a journey that spans borders, careers, and industries before arriving at the workshop in the summer of 2025. His story speaks to the value of diverse experience and the transferable nature of practical skills, demonstrating that exceptional model makers can emerge from the most unexpected backgrounds.

Originally from Hungary, Felician began his working life as a border guard, a role that might seem worlds away from scale model making but which instilled qualities that prove invaluable in precision manufacturing: attention to detail, disciplined procedures, and familiarity with specialist technical equipment including night vision apparatus and other sophisticated surveillance technology. This early exposure to precision instruments planted seeds that would later benefit him in his model making career.

In 2005, Felician relocated to the United Kingdom, initially finding work in the construction industry. Here he spent time engaged in practical building work, progressing from foundation and groundwork through to building construction and interior finishing. This hands-on experience with large-scale making – understanding how materials behave, how structures are assembled, how design translates into built reality – provided an unconventional but remarkably solid foundation for what was to come. He developed an intuitive understanding of scale and proportion, learning to read technical drawings and execute complex builds to precise specifications.

Seeking to formalise and expand his skills, Felician enrolled at Middlesex University to study Product Design, graduating in 2019 with a degree that bridged his practical experience with design theory and digital proficiency. Now qualified, he joined Stylographics, a Watford-based fabrication company where he would spend the next phase of his career developing specialist skills that would prove directly relevant to model making: here, Felician mastered CNC cutting operations, working extensively with Kongsberg machines to transform flat materials into three-dimensional forms. He learned to think in terms of 2D to 3D conversion, understanding how components nest, how cutting paths optimise material usage, and how digital designs translate into physical outputs.

Working within the fabrication team, he contributed to projects for major clients including Warner Brothers, creating displays and installations that demanded both precision and visual impact. From Stylographics, Felician moved to another company where his role shifted towards client-facing work, gaining experience with Creo Parametric—professional-grade 3D design software that added another powerful tool to his digital skillset.

When Model Products Ltd advertised a position on LinkedIn during a busy period in summer 2025, Felician’s application stood out and his profile perfectly matched what the company was seeking: someone with established knowledge and a proven skill set who could contribute meaningfully from day one. Since joining, Felician has continued to expand his capabilities, adding spray painting, model preparation, laser cutting, and design facilitation to his abilities. He brings enthusiasm to learning, expressing keen interest in lathe operation, milling, and the broader machine shop capabilities that Model Products offers.

What Felician appreciates most about his new role is the diversity – the opportunity to work on everything from larger scale replicas that echo his construction background to smaller, finer precision work that demands the meticulous attention he developed as a border guard and honed through his product design training. He has also embraced the team dynamic at Model Products, finding a cohesion and mutual support that makes even demanding projects enjoyable. For a team seeking someone who could hit the ground running whilst remaining hungry to learn more, Felician has proven an ideal addition.

Meet the Team: Gemma – Model Maker and Defence Specialist

Gemma always knew she wanted to be a model maker. Unlike some who discover the profession through chance and experimentation, her path was known from an early age, a determination that carried her through education, early career experiences, and even a sabbatical that took her halfway around the world before bringing her to Model Products Ltd.

Her formal training began at Arts University Bournemouth, home to one of the UK’s most respected model making programmes with over thirty years of history in producing industry-ready graduates. The course provided comprehensive grounding across the discipline, exposing Gemma to diverse applications from film and television through to architecture and product design. It was the perfect environment for someone with her interest in model making, offering both technical skill development and the creative thinking that distinguishes exceptional model makers from merely competent ones.

Upon graduating, Gemma secured a position with a leading model making company that served multiple sectors, giving her broad early experience across different types of projects. Over two years, however, her work increasingly concentrated on defence model making – creating scale replicas of military equipment, vehicles, and systems for clients in the defence sector. This specialisation would prove significant for her future career, as the defence and aerospace market demands particular qualities: absolute precision, security awareness, and the ability to interpret technical specifications for equipment that often sits at the cutting edge of technology.

After two years in the industry, Gemma decided to take a 10 month sabbatical to work a ski season and travel. It was during this extended break, whilst in Japan, that she spotted the Model Products Ltd vacancy and submitted her application. By the time she touched down in Australia, she had received word that the company was interested – a testament to how her portfolio and experience had impressed the team even from the other side of the world!

Returning to the UK, Gemma started with Model Products in July 2025, arriving during one of the company’s busiest periods. There was no gentle induction; she needed to hit the ground running on existing demanding projects with tight deadlines. This proved her capabilities beyond doubt, as she seamlessly integrated with the existing team and contributed meaningfully to complex builds from her very first days.

What has impressed Gemma about Model Products is the culture of respect and inclusion. Her expertise is valued, her voice is heard, and her suggestions are taken seriously. After experiences where model makers can feel like anonymous production workers, this recognition of individual contribution matters enormously. The team structure at Model Products supports both independent work and collaboration – Gemma can focus deeply on tasks requiring concentration and specialist knowledge whilst knowing that colleagues are available to support, advise, or assist when needed. It is this balance that creates genuinely high-quality output: talented individuals working autonomously when appropriate, coming together when projects demand collective effort.

Model Products has also offered Gemma opportunities to expand beyond her established strengths. Whilst her defence background has proven immediately valuable, the company serves major clients in the defence and aerospace sector, including producing models for prestigious trade shows like DSEI – she is equally keen about developing skills in other areas. The opportunity to work on larger scale products has been welcome, and she looks forward to tackling smaller, precision projects that will further refine her capabilities. For someone who always knew model making was her calling, Model Products Ltd represents the ideal environment to continue that journey.

Meet the Team: Richard – Model Maker and Engineering Specialist

Richard completes the Model Products Ltd workshop team, bringing approximately seven years of industry experience and a background that bridges pure model making with serious engineering applications. His journey illustrates how the skills developed in scale model production transfer across sectors, and how diverse experience ultimately creates more versatile, capable professionals.

Like Tom and Hector, Richard studied at the University of Hertfordshire, choosing the Model Design pathway that focused on architectural and product applications rather than character or special effects work. This distinction matters: whilst all model making demands precision and creativity, the architectural and product route emphasises technical accuracy, engineering principles, and the kind of rigorous specification adherence that commercial and industrial clients require.

During his university years, Richard undertook work experience with Native Design, a London-based product design consultancy. This placement introduced him to professional design environments and confirmed his interest in the engineering-adjacent aspects of model making. The experience broadened his perspective beyond pure architectural work, showing him how model making skills could serve product development, prototyping, and industrial design contexts.

After graduation, Richard joined RWDI, an internationally renowned wind engineering consultancy with facilities across the globe. His role there was highly specialised: creating models for wind tunnel testing, specifically for force balance and cladding studies. This meant producing scale replicas of proposed buildings that would be mounted on sensitive instruments and subjected to simulated wind conditions. The data gathered would inform structural engineering decisions, helping architects understand how their designs would perform in real-world conditions and where wind pressure points might cause problems.

It was painstaking, precise work that demanded absolute accuracy.Any deviation in the model could skew results and potentially compromise building safety assessments. Richard also gained exposure to computer modelling during this period, understanding how physical and digital simulation techniques complement each other in modern engineering practice. The work was fascinating but necessarily focused on a single application.

Seeking broader experience, Richard moved to Cambridge Design Partnership, an employee-owned innovation consultancy that works across consumer, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Here, the variety was remarkable: his projects included contributing to the development of a brain surgery robot, working on printer prototypes, creating auto-injector models, and building test rigs for engineering evaluation. Each project demanded different skills, different approaches, and different ways of thinking. The experience changed Richard from a specialist into a versatile model maker comfortable with diverse challenges.

When Cambridge Design Partnership ceased operations, Richard found himself on the job market with an impressive portfolio and broad capabilities. Model Products Ltd recognised immediately what he could offer, and he joined the team approximately two and a half years ago. The move has proven ideal for someone who thrives on variety. Where previous roles sometimes involved repetitive tasks – inevitable when specialising in particular applications – Model Products provides constant diversity.

Each week might bring completely different challenges: defence prototypes, architectural models, marketing displays, R&D prototypes, or exhibition pieces. This variety keeps work engaging, demands a broad skill set, and offers continuous learning opportunities. Richard appreciates the autonomy that Model Products provides, trusting him to manage his work whilst providing support when needed. The collaborative team environment means knowledge sharing is constant. Techniques learned in wind tunnel modelling might prove relevant to a colleague’s current project, whilst insights from Hector’s architectural background or Felician’s fabrication experience inform Richard’s own approach. It is this exchange of expertise that makes the Model Products team greater than the sum of its parts.

The Model Products Team

What emerges from these five individual stories is a picture of a genuinely cohesive unit. Each team member brings distinct strengths: Tom’s sculptural artistry and mould-making expertise, Hector’s architectural precision and CAD mastery, Felician’s fabrication knowledge and digital proficiency, Gemma’s defence sector experience and determination, Richard’s engineering background and versatility. Yet what makes Model Products Ltd special is not just the breadth of individual talent – it is how these five professionals work together.

The workshop operates on principles of mutual support and knowledge sharing. When complex projects arrive, the team naturally pools expertise, each contributing what they know whilst remaining open to learning from others. When individual tasks require focused attention, team members can work independently with confidence, knowing colleagues are available if challenges arise. This balance—cohesion without dependency, collaboration without inefficiency—represents exactly what clients need from a model making partner.

At Model Products Ltd, we are proud that our team exemplifies the values that have sustained this company for over sixty years: precision, craftsmanship, innovation, and a genuine commitment to excellence. Whether creating scale models for defence and aerospace applications, architectural presentations, R&D prototyping, or marketing displays, the people on our workshop floor bring not just skills and experience, but dedication, passion, and the collaborative spirit that transforms good work into exceptional results.