The business was founded in 1890 as a builders by John Pickard of Carperby near Aysgarth, and began to work as Monumental Masons in 1926. Harry Pickard (son of the founder) and then Derrick Pickard (grandson of the founder) continued the business. Now in its fourth and fifth generation, John Pickard & Son is now run by David Pickard (great grandson, of the founder) and John Pickard (great great grandson of the founder).