Mike Brown IHBC has been elected as the new Chair of The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the UK’s professional body for built and historic environment specialists, with Emilia Hands taking on the duties of IHBC’s Vice Chair.
Mike was IHBC’s Policy secretary and previously had been IHBC Communications & Outreach secretary. He is a chartered building surveyor with over 20 years’ experience of the repair, refurbishment and successful change management of historic buildings and places, both as a practitioner and conservation officer. He is now a consultant heritage and urban design advisor.
Mike said: ‘I’m delighted, if a little challenged, by the thought of taking on this role. However I am confident that the team responsible for leading the IHBC’s developments over the coming three years – ranging from our Board and staff to the individual groups and volunteers on the ground – are fully committed to delivering results to the same high standard we have seen under my predecessor, Jo Evans.’
‘Indeed I would especially like to thank Jo, and our past-Vice Chair Sheila Stones, for their dedicated work when in post. Successes achieved under their guidance include the recently concluded National Occupational Standards for built environment conservation, a much more stable and balanced income stream for the organisation, and a body of research and investigation into local authority conservation that I am certain will prove critical to getting our messages about the importance of conservation and services, right into the heart of government.’
‘At the same time I look forward to making sure that as an institute we continue to look upwards and outwards beyond our many current challenges.’
Emilia, Chair of the South Branch that delivered the IHBC’s Winchester School, in 2012, will be the IHBC’s Vice Chair, following Sheila Stones, with special portfolio responsibility for our energetic Branch network.
Emilia said: ‘We do understand that many of our members are under huge pressure in their work, or from lack of it. The IHBC will continue to generate the advocacy and resources that promote our members and their work, and it is our volunteer Branches, working on the ground, that are best placed to bring our message into their networks.’
To contact Mike, email him at chair@ihbc.org.uk
To contact Emilia, email her at vicechair@ihbc.org.uk
