As the voice of the conservation‑restoration sector, Icon advocates for positive change on the issues that matter to the profession and supports the needs of individual conservator‑restorers. We do this by strengthening recognition of professional conservation practice, improving access to the profession, building public understanding, and addressing the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Effective campaigning is central to achieving these aims. This means maintaining a consistent focus on the sector’s priorities and advocating for them across all our work - from direct engagement with stakeholders and decision‑makers to ensuring that our organisational activities align with these strategic goals.
Improving Access to the Conservation Profession
We know that conservation can be an incredibly rewarding career; however, the sector faces significant challenges in succession planning. Education and training provision continues to be under pressure, with course closures and financial constraints limiting entry routes. Current training models are often highly academic, which is neither appropriate nor necessary for all areas of conservation practice, and their cost presents a substantial barrier to entry. In addition, low salaries and insecure employment prospects contribute to a loss of talent, particularly among those at the early stages of their careers.
Our vision
An inclusive conservation profession that offers rewarding careers, meets the evolving needs of employers, and empowers early-career professionals to thrive - supported by diverse, accessible training routes and driving a resilient, highly skilled workforce for the future of the conservation profession.
Actions required to meet those goals
- Development of diverse, high‑quality vocational and academic pathways into the conservation profession, removing barriers and ensuring equitable access for individuals across all geographic locations, learning preferences, socio‑economic backgrounds, and protected characteristics.
- Training providers are well supported and advocate for the sector’s essential role in protecting and preserving our shared cultural heritage.
- Thorough understanding of skills needed across the conservation to ensure that skills acquisition is directly aligned with sector demand, ensuring the workforce has the expertise needed to care for our shared cultural heritage.
- Understanding of the support needed by early-career conservation professionals to allow them to develop their skills as they make their first steps in their conservation careers.
What this will lead to
- Training provision that is robust, resilient, and underpinned by sustainable investment.
- Employers, clients and commissioners are able to identify professionals with the skills they need to protect and preserve the heritage within their care.
- Anyone with the aspiration and ability to join the sector can do so, regardless of background or circumstance.
- Fair and competitive salaries across the sector, ensuring conservation roles are financially sustainable and attractive at all career stages.
Strengthening the Conservation Workforce
The conservation profession relies on a modest pool of skilled practitioners who draw on a high degree of technical skills, materials science and deep understanding of the principles and ethical frameworks that underpin conservation practice. However, we know that these skills are not always fully recognised or understood by those commissioning conservation services, or even within the wider heritage sector.
Our vision
A conservation profession that is widely understood and valued across the heritage sector, where well-supported, fully trained, and qualified professionals are consistently employed and commissioned, leading to better outcomes for heritage.
Actions required to meet those goals
- The profession can confidently articulate and demonstrate its value and clearly demonstrate the high degree of technical expertise and deep understanding of conservation principles that are essential for achieving the best outcomes for heritage.
- Employers, clients and commissioners fully understand the work of conservation professionals and the importance of their skills and experience.
- Icon occupies a strategic position among key heritage stakeholders, enabling it to shape policy and drive positive change for the conservation profession.
- A clear understanding of the values of conservation and the needs of Icon’s members and the sector as a whole.
What this will lead to
- Icon is recognised as a leading voice in heritage workforce development, shaping national strategies for skills and training.
- Icon is actively consulted on policy development by government bodies and sector partners.
- National museums and major heritage employers adopt policies prioritising the employment of professional conservator-restorers.
- Access to conservation services is improved, with private custodians and commissioners routinely appointing fully qualified professionals working to Icon’s Professional Standards.
- Icon proactively responds to opportunities across all regions of the UK, ensuring that skills development and professional support are accessible nationwide.
Building Public Understanding of Conservation
We know there is significant public interest in conservation and restoration, with stories of care, repair and heritage regularly attracting large audiences; The Repair Shop alone attracts approximately 6.7 million viewers each week. However, much conservation work still takes place behind closed doors, becoming visible only when something is at risk, has gone wrong or has been lost. Increasing public understanding of the profession will help to strengthen recognition of conservation skills and expertise and enhance the sector’s influence in protecting and preserving our shared cultural heritage.
Our vision
Conservation brought out from behind closed doors: a profession that captures the public’s imagination, sparks curiosity, and invites people to connect with the crucial work needed to care for our shared cultural heritage.
Actions required to meet those goals
- Professionals have the confidence, tools, and support to share their work with the public.
- Conservators and Icon can clearly articulate the value that conservation brings to society.
- Strong partnerships are developed across the sector, with increased access to public communication channels.
What this will lead to
- Public audiences have a stronger understanding of the role conservators play in caring for heritage and collections, leading to improved advocacy, policy and funding influence.
- Conservation stories become embedded in cultural narratives, reinforcing the value of professional standards.
- Greater awareness of the conservation profession supports increased participation from diverse groups.