Jo Evans is a trained planner and mother of two, and will succeed Dave Chetwyn, who has just completed a very successful three years in that office.
Jo was Chair of the IHBC’s Membership and Ethics Committee prior to her election and has previously held senior voluntary roles both on the IHBC’s national Council and on its South East Branch committee.
She said of her appointment: “I’m delighted to be succeeding Dave as he was a such a strong Chair, helping in particular to shape our national profile and increase awareness of the added value conservation professionals deliver across our public services. There’s no doubt that we now face tough and challenging times all round, so it’s crucial that we continue to demonstrate to government at all levels just how much benefit our members deliver, both inside and outside the public sector.
I’m especially delighted that Baroness Kay Andrews, Chair of English Heritage, has consistently highlighted the central role that conservation officers play in securing great local places for everyone. In her recent speech at the House of Lords, in her visits to senior local government officers, and not least in her speech last week launching our own hugely successful Annual School in London, she has highlighted the role of local conservation officers as guarantors of quality places for all communities. It will make our respective jobs much easier if we can get this message across to government clearly, consistently and coherently.”
Dave Chetwyn, IHBC’s Past Chair, said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to chair the IHBC and to work with so many talented and committed people. I wish Jo every success in taking the Institute forward.”
Seán O’Reilly, IHBC Director, said: “Jo will bring a detailed understanding of our membership standards to the new post, as she has overseen the recent evolution of our assessment and disciplinary operations. Fortunately, Dave, as our past chairman, also will continue his active ambassadorial support for our conservation and regeneration agenda, so we are gaining capacity, not losing talent.
Like Dave, Jo has extensive experience as a conservation professional both outside local government and, today at Guildford, inside it. In this she represents well the balance of our membership as a whole. With Jo, Dave, and our many other officers and volunteers, the IHBC is well placed to address these uncertain times, supported by the strategy agreed under new Corporate Plan as recently approved at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting.”
For info contact:
Seán O’Reilly, Director, IHBC: (0131)5583671
For IHBC see: www.ihbc.org.uk
