18 YEARBOOK 2026 CHAIR’S REVIEW GOD IS IN THE DETAIL DAVID McDONALD, IHBC CHAIR IT WILL come as no surprise to Yearbook readers that I am commencing this review with an update on the IHBC’s progress on chartered status. When the last edition was published, the Privy Council Office (PCO) was considering our memorandum on our proposed Petition for Charter. As has been widely reported in IHBC NewsBlogs, the response from the PCO in September was positive and following endorsement from our members, we are proceeding with preparation of the formal petition. At first glance, this might seem a relatively straightforward process, having already submitted our Articles of Association to the PCO as part of the memorandum. However, the petition must be submitted in a particular format, which means separating the articles into separate documents. It is important that we get this right both constitutionally and legally. Fortunately, we now have an advisor from the Foundation for Science and Technology to help us submit a draft Petition later this year. We will then seek the agreement of our members to proceed formally to the PCO. As part of the IHBC’s outward looking agenda, a Parliamentary Reception was held in September to promote our work on heritage skills. This was accompanied by the catchily titled report From Crafts in Crisis to Rubbish in Retrofit which sets out the IHBC’s ‘five commitments’ to help heritage skills in conservation. These are: Advocate by targeted parliamentary-level briefings Educate by enhancing access to IHBC standards and service Investigate by responding to the challenges in heritage management processes Celebrate by using our Creative Conservation Fund to celebrate achievements Integrate by establishing a new network of education and training providers. These ambitious commitments, which will be progressed during 2026 and beyond, are in addition to the skills development and training we deliver through our branches and through our flagship Annual Schools. In 2025 the Annual School was held in Shrewsbury with a theme of Heritage in Context. As always, it was informative and entertaining, providing very high-quality CPD. As well as the excellent speakers, two of the tours stood out for me for quite different reasons. The first was to look at vernacular wall paintings in domestic settings. The tour was led by IHBC member Kathy Davies, author of Artisan Art: vernacular wall paintings in the Welsh Marches, 1550-1650 (see Context 187). It was fascinating to view such rare survivals in their original settings – details that contribute so much to the significance of our historic buildings. On a larger scale, the recently restored Flaxmill Maltings illustrated a whole range of conservation skills as well as the commitment of English Heritage and Historic England to save an outstanding example of early mill architecture. Having been subject to adaptation in the past, the mill has now been repurposed with lettable office and studio space above the new visitor centre, café and shop, providing an income stream that should ensure its future survival. This example of adaptive re-use fits perfectly with the theme of the 2026 Annual School in Newcastle, which, in turn, chimes in with the government’s growth agenda. While much is reported about the need for new housing, regeneration is also a key government aim. Last year I was fortunate to attend two ministerial roundtables with ministers from both DCMS and MHCLG. It is heartening to see these cross-departmental discussions taking place. Subjects ranged from planning fees to listed building consent orders, and more recently to proposed changes to the NPPF. This has given me and others in the historic environment sector the opportunity to make a strong case for heritage as an enabler, not a blocker, and to draw attention to the need to improve conservation skills capacity in local planning authorities. My attendance at these events is testament to the increasing status and respect that the IHBC has with government and the other big players in our sector. Should we be successful in our Petition for Charter, our position should be strengthened further. However, I should point out that that future engagement will not be with me as Chair of the IHBC. Having served two terms in this role, I am to stand down as Trustee and Chair of the Board at the next IHBC AGM. That also means that this will be the last Yearbook to which I will be contributing. It has been a privilege to be able to provide my own take on the activities of the IHBC and to be able to ‘do my bit’ for what I believe is a valuable publication. I will miss the role, but would like to pass my best wishes to whoever may succeed me. David McDonald, OBE chair@ihbc.org.uk
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