Icon (the Institute of Conservation) is a charitable company working to safeguard cultural heritage. Icon is also the professional membership body for the conservation profession.
Icon’s vision is to protect, preserve and promote our treasured cultural heritage through cultivating skilled conservation professionals, supporting meaningful collaboration across the cultural heritage sector, and delivering public benefit through engagement and advocacy.
Icon’s mission is to represent and support the practice and profession of conservation by promoting the public value of caring for cultural heritage and upholding high standards and ethics in conservation practice. Icon ensures that the guardians and owners of objects, buildings and collections can access knowledgeable and passionate professionals who will help them safeguard the physical remains of our past for the future.
Operational Priorities
Policy Statements:
Environmental Statement
In September 2020, Icon's Board of Trustees agreed an Environmental Statement outlining Icon's commitment to promoting the positive role that conservation can play in inspiring and informing climate action. The Statement describes Icon's work to reduce its organisational carbon footprint and support members to embed environmental sustainability in their professional activities.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy
In December 2024, Icon's Board of Trustees agreed an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy. EDI are a set of ethical principles, key to ensuring supportive environments for groups and individuals. The policy outlines 5 objectives, designed to embed EDI into all aspect of Icon's work.
Career Break and Membership Fees Policy
In February 2026, Icon's Professional Standards and Development Committee agreed a Career Break and Membership Fees Policy. This policy outlines Icon’s support for members who are temporarily out of employment resulting from parental leave, significant caring responsibilities, or serious health conditions.
Lapsed ACR Reinstatement Policy
In February 2026, Icon's Professional Standards and Development Committee agreed a Lapsed ACR Reinstatement Policy. This policy outlines the process for the reinstatement for Accredited members of Icon who have lapsed their Accredited membership.
