Conservators and heritage scientists are highly trained professionals working to save the things that matter most to people - everything from national treasures to family heirlooms and collectables.
Icon's 2,300 members come from a variety of backgrounds, and have followed a range of career paths, developing their specialisms and interests along the way. Some work as conservation managers or preventive conservators and have responsibility for looking after an entire collection; others focus on the assessment and treatment of objects within a particular specialism. Many conservators work for public institutions such as national and regional museums or galleries, archives and libraries, or in historic properties. Others are employed by private conservation studios and conservation contractors. Some operate as freelancers, running their own microbusinesses.
With our shared commitment to care for cultural heritage, together we are Icon.
Emma Le Cornu ACR
What do you do?
I am a Paper Conservator. Currently I am working for the Library & Archives collection of Manx National Heritage on the Isle of Man. I have previously worked on other types of collections such as botanical illustration and Asian art to sports memorabilia in far flung places including London, Singapore and Qatar. I came from a Fine Art degree background and on discovering conservation I spent time volunteering, alongside temping jobs, to get the experience needed to apply for a Masters Conservation programme.
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation matters because it enables access to collections. Conservators are in a unique position to get to know objects like no one else. We have many ways of sharing this intimate knowledge, to create a better understanding of the collections we care for and how they can be used to connect with diverse audiences.
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon when I first became interested in conservation, even before I was a conservation student. This was the best way to connect with other conservators, learn more about the profession and to have access to events, lectures and workshops. I have since become an accredited member and I stay involved with Icon in various voluntary roles. I have always appreciated the network Icon provides and the reassurance of having Icon to maintain high standards and advocate for the profession.
Laura Ratcliffe ACR
What do you do?
I am an archaeological conservator working on both objects in a lab and historic sites out in the landscape or on excavations. I also do a lot of community projects.
Why does conservation matter?
A lot of the actual work I do is on 'things' but those things represent people and we help preserve and present this history of people through our conservation of materials. It's easy to forget as we look down a microscope that the object beyond its physical self can bring the past so tangibly alive to lots of people. if we weren't conserving, a lot of this amazing material would not survive.
Why did you join Icon?
Two reasons really, first and foremost was to help me make sure I was being the best conservator I could be as I largely work alone as a conservator and lack frequent peer contact and secondly, more practically, to help me get work.
Sarah Coggins ACR
What do you do?
I work as a conservation engineer at the Mary Rose Museum. I look after the environment for the Mary Rose hull and her collection. I monitor any movement of the hull and work to make the museum more sustainable.
Why does conservation matter?
I believe that the objects that I look after tell vivid stories about peoples’ lives and telling stories is a very important part of being human.
Why did you join Icon?
I think that bringing lots of conservators together means we can benefit from training, events, sharing experience and we have collective power to influence the government, employers, the media and others.
Ayesha Fuentes
What do you do?
I’m a conservator and researcher at the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. I’m a graduate of the UCLA/Getty MA program in the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials and completed my PhD at SOAS University of London in 2021.
Why does conservation matter?
I believe the answer to this is dependent on how we work and our professional priorities, as well as support from our colleagues, networks and institutions. In my own practice, I think conservation has the capacity to facilitate safe, public access to objects for a wide range of people; to document and promote material knowledge transfer; and to enable pathways for restitution, repair and accountability.
Why did you join Icon?
I’m not from the UK but in my current position at Cambridge, I wanted to become part of my local professional community, to learn from my UK-based colleagues and to contribute to our shared knowledge.
Angela Middleton
What do you do?
I am a senior archaeological conservator, working for Historic England. I have specialised in the conservation of material recovered from the marine environment and lately I have been busy with the conservation of artefacts recovered from the London and the Rooswijk. I also provide training to the sector and interested members of the public, contribute to exhibitions and give advice. I have a special interest in the conservation of waterlogged organic materials.
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation matters because it provides a unique opportunity to further our understanding of our past and contribute to telling stories about our past.
Why did you join Icon?
Joining Icon felt like the right thing to do. I value the sense of community and networking.
Rebecca Bayram
What do you do?
I am a paper and preventive conservator working at The Northern Norway Art Museum in Tromsø, which is inside the Arctic Circle. I look after our collection of 2,200 objects which includes paintings, sculptures, prints, and textiles.
Why does conservation matter?
The meaning of the word conservation is to guard and protect; we are guardians of the past so that the human race can learn and grow from what came before. If there were no museums and all historical objects were left to rot and disintegrate, we would be without anchor. The past makes the present.
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon because of their dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage and for the excellently designed Pathway program. Icon's Conservation Standards and Ethical Guidelines have also helped me become a better conservator.
Josep Grau-Bove
What do you do?
I teach and research in heritage science. I am an educator, and I try to train experts who can make a difference in conservation by using science and engineering. I also enjoy finding ways to involve citizen scientists in heritage.
Why does conservation matter?
We talk a lot about how science helps conservation - but I am way more interested in how conservation helps science. Heritage science is most innovative when it lets conservation take the driving seat, because conservation asks questions that science is not well prepared to answer. So I will be bold and say: conservation matters because it pushes science forward.
Why did you join Icon?
The conservation community has always helped me and supported my research. So, in part, I joined Icon because I feel my contribution is welcomed and it's a great place to develop new collaborations. It also helps me keep track of what are the important challenges in the field. I like learning about new problems.
Shaikha Alkharsan
What do you do?
I work for a government institute that prepares studies and research related to the country's history, so it owns a massive collection of historical materials. Among the most important tasks that fall upon me is the restoration and treatment of damaged historical materials such as historical documents, architectural drawings and maps, old books and records - as well as preserving and storing them properly.
Why does conservation matter?
For some, conservation is mainly related to preserving the written history of nations and peoples at their different levels of culture. In my opinion, such objects are the cultural vessels that express the development of arts, crafts, and human skills over the ages. Just as we need to preserve the information itself, we need to maintain the essential components and properties of objects by understanding materials from a physical and chemical point of view, determining the causes of damage, and choosing the appropriate treatments without causing damage or change.
Why did you join Icon?
Icon is a place teeming with professionals working in the field of conservation. Therefore, it is the most suitable destination for professional development and advancement. Icon is one of the few institutions that works to take care of its members and works on developing their practical and scientific skills, creating communication among members, and supporting their needs.
Emma Coburn ACR
What do you do?
My name is Emma Coburn ACR and I am Collections Manager at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, which is near Guildford, Surrey. I achieved accreditation in 2019 and my specialism is Conservation Management.
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation matters to me because I believe every object can tell a story and our work helps to preserve not only the object but also multiple stories. By conserving and enabling access to objects, they can inspire, engage and excite!
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon to become part of the professional conservation community, make connections with other conservators, take part in training events, share my experiences and keep my knowledge and skills up to date.
Clive Raymond
What do you do?
I am retired. My second career was in conservation following a first career in the Merchant Navy as a ship’s officer. After studying for an Open University degree in Arts and Sciences at the Open University while at sea, I came ashore and obtained a BSc in Archaeological Conservation at UCL, and went on to Imperial College to study for an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science. Having failed to get any work in museums as a conservator, I began work as a conservator of stone and related materials in the heritage building sector. This was my second career which also included two years digging experience as an archaeologist.
Now that I have retired, I volunteer for the Thames Discovery Project, attend bookbinding classes, and study the history of London at the V&A Academy.
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation is important to me, having studied a lot of history. I know how valuable conserved objects and structures are as primary evidence, and as teaching materials, or places to visit for young and old. Conservators are in a position to reveal scientific evidence of all kinds, and preserve things for further studies as methods evolve. Conservation is fun, and the general public is enthralled by what we do.
Why did you join Icon?
As with my first career, I recognise the importance and value of memberships of professional bodies like the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Nautical Institute, and I felt it just as important in 1993 to join UKIC (Icon's precursor), IIC, and IfA.
Sophie Younger ACR
What do you do?
I am a Textile & Preventive Practitioner working in private practice in Scotland.
Why does conservation matter?
I like saving things. I also like to dabble purposefully with my hands, problem solve and making a difference - as 'things' impart a cultural relevance and truthful significance.
Why did you join Icon?
To strengthen the profession and to give our wider community more status. However, we also have to try and remain cost relevant... which can be difficult due to how detailed and time consuming our work often is.
Janet Berry ACR
What do you do?
I’m the Head of Conservation in the Cathedral & Church Buildings Division for the Church of England. I provide advice nationally to our 16,000 churches and 42 cathedrals on conservation and management of their historic interiors. I develop national church conservation and collections policy, and manage our conservation grants programmes, which provide around £200,000 annually for conservation work in our churches.
Why does conservation matter?
Our churches and cathedrals are living buildings, and have been for over 1,000 years. Our stained glass windows provide protection from the wind and rain, our wall paintings still tell us stories from the Bible, our bells ring out to bring hope in times of both pain and celebration. Keeping our buildings and historic interiors in a good enough condition that they can be actively used ensures our buildings continue to be the hubs serving their local communities. In this way, conservation is a vital contribution to the work of historic places of worship.
Why did you join Icon?
I was proud to be one of the committee members that helped to form Icon into one national voice for conservation. I continue to support and be proud of the work that Icon does to promote conservation as a profession and to uphold professional standards.
Jane Henderson ACR
What do you do?
I teach conservation and collection care at Cardiff University and I am secretary general of International Institute for Conservation.
Why does conservation matter?
Because people have relationships with things that help them look back, understand their present and embark on the future. We help people to keep using those things and that is really powerful.
Why did you join Icon?
It was the thing you did when you were a conservation student it was an act of belonging and of transition into the professional sphere.
Anna McCann
What do you do?
I am the Collections Officer at Monaghan County Museum where I develop and deliver collections care and preventative conservation activities to ensure the long-term preservation of the Museum’s extensive collection. Working in a local authority museum means I get to work with a large variety of social history objects so no two days are ever the same.
Why does conservation matter?
Cultural objects provide us with a tangible link to the past. Conservation matters because it is the hidden work that ensures the preservation of these objects so they can continue to tell their stories to future generations.
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon so I could keep up to date with people and projects in the conservation profession.
Helen Skinner
What do you do?
I am a paper conservator working in Sweden. I am in private practice with my business HELEN SKINNER AB. I take on various objects, art and wallpaper. I have also taken commissions in Finland and Germany. I have been working since 1983 after finishing my training at Camberwell Art College (1980-1983).
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation matters in the same way as history, culture, the arts matter; to give each and every one a broader knowledge, sense of meaning and depth of what we are and what the world is.
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon as a natural way to get into my profession and get a wider view of the professional world of conservation and the professional conservators there within. (I also joined IIC, IADA, NKF at the same time in 1983)
Caroline Bendix ACR
What do you do?
I am a library conservator, having trained as a bookbinder and then a book conservator in the late 1970s, but I became more interested in treating the problems of the whole collection at source, rather than conserving individual items offsite.
Why does conservation matter?
It’s so important to preserve the whole object, especially because of the wealth of information contained about the human interaction with books over the centuries; inscriptions, annotations, binding techniques and materials provide a wealth of information about social, industrial and trading history.
Why did you join Icon?
Icon was formed as an amalgamation of several bodies, including the Institute of Paper Conservation, of which I was a member.
Elena Leith
What do you do?
I am the H22 Paper Archivist with the BFI.
Why does conservation matter?
Conservation is the key to keeping our cultural heritage for the future. As an archivist, I'm like the middle man to the public. I have access to materials and make sure that the public can access what they want, within limits. However, without conservation and preservation, we wouldn't have any materials to access. Without the knowledge of proper housing and environment, of preventive measures against pest and time, most materials would have been lost to us a while ago.
Why did you join Icon?
I joined Icon because I have a brief history with Preservation and Conservation and ultimately it is a subject near and dear to my heart. As an archivist, Icon is a wonderful resource of materials and a giant network of peers in other fields. Whatever question arises, I feel confident that Icon can help find the answer.
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