Jim Mann is the founder of Stone Initiatives. He started the company in 2003, guiding its growth and development into a leading international dimension stone and materials testing company. Jim was the principal and chief consultant of Stone Initiatives for more than 21 years, before retiring in January 2025.

Jim specialised in the forensic examination of stone material failures, including floor finishes and building facades, for both heritage and new buildings. He has a continued interest in the history behind heritage projects and is fascinated by the hidden aspects of a structure that can be uncovered during the testing and evaluation processes.

Jim was a director of the Australian Stone Advisory Association and a technical committee member of the ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone. He was also a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

Tom has been with Stone Initiatives since 2017. He specializes in petrographic and mineralogical testing analyses, with a focus on the detection of asbestiform minerals and the evaluation of stone surface finishes to ensure fitness for use in high-end commercial projects. He enjoys fossicking expeditions and has a strong interest in the use of technology and computers for improvements in the testing laboratory environment.

Read ‘A new chapter: Founder Jim Mann retires’