The IHBC’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) saw new (and old) trustees appointed; confirmation of the IHBC’s Charter Memorandum submission on May 13@14:15, and other business, all bookended by Griff Rhys Jones on our 2025 Annual School, #IHBCShrewsbury2025, and Tim Greensmith on ‘Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings…’.
Can’t make it to Shrewsbury? Simply secure your Virtual Day School place
with event recording (from £35+VAT): see more HERE.
David McDonald, IHBC’s Chair, who was unable host due to technical issues, and Lone Le Vay, IHBC Vice Chair and Chair of the 2025 AGM, reported: ‘We were delighted to be able to announce to the AGM the submission of the IHBC’s Memorandum to the PCO membership seeking their thoughts on our prospects in any Charter application. This marks the next critical step on our Petition for Charter journey. The extensive consultation leading up to it, and wider research work that has taken place since our 2024 AGM, has been entirely justified. We are delighted to thank all have helped in this work, and look forward to the IHBC progressing Charter matters with the Privy Council Office over the coming months.’
‘We’d also like to thank Tim Greensmith for his stimulating introduction to the AGM and our 2025 School, ‘Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings – Back from the Brink’, and – particularly – our great supporter Griff Rhys Jones, for taking the time to make his film endorsing our 2025 School, #IHBCShrewsbury2025. While viewing was hampered on the day by a technical glitch, it can be enjoyed in peace on our YouTube channel HERE, while I’m sure we’ll all also be promoting it our networks in the coming weeks.
We’d also like to thank all those members who took the time and trouble to attend the AGM and those who sent in their proxies, which this year were especially helpful, not least in securing the necessary quorum.’
‘Indeed it is gratifying to see such support for the IHBC and the band of trustees, volunteers and our staff that make it all work. As always, we would encourage all members to come forward and stand for office or simply volunteer and hour or two to help us make this the great institution we think it is.’
The IHBC writes:
Following formal Resolutions adopted at the IHBC’s 2025 AGM, two trustees will join the IHBC’s board for the first of new three-year terms: Shona Simpson, Built Heritage Officer at Glasgow City Council, as Trustee for Scotland, and Dave Chetwyn, MD of Urban Vision Enterprise, serving also as IHBC’s new Secretary.
Shona said: I’m delighted to have been elected as a Trustee of IHBC. I look forward to providing insights and input from Scotland Branch to IHBC and to broaden my professional knowledge, experience and skills by undertaking this role.’
Dave said: ‘I’m really excited to be returning to the IHBC as a trustee, even after only a year out, as it’s in a rare new role for me here, IHBC Secretary. I’m looking forward to getting to grips with that, and thank Jo Evans – like myself, also past-Chair of the IHBC – for her hard work in this post!’
‘Of course I will also continue with my role as Chair of the IHBC’s Communications and Outreach Committee, and look forward to launching our Committee update – the IHBC’s Communications and Outreach Strategy, 2025-28 in the next few weeks, after its formal adoption by the IHBC’s Board.’
Also appointed by Resolution at the AGM was Des Cairns, representative for Northern Ireland, who now starts the second of two three year terms on the Board in that role.
See the personal statements from newly appointed Trustees in advance of their election to the Board at the AGM 13 May 2025
See more background on the IHBC AGMs HERE
Follow more on the IHBC’s exploration of a Petition for Charter.
IHBC’s CREATIVE Conservation Fund helps conservation people
Download David McDonald’s ‘Written statement on engaging with the IHBC’s governance’
