Hosted in partnership with the Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA) and The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), this annual event brought together leading voices in conservation, emerging talent, and supporters of craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
The evening included a thought-provoking panel discussion, “Conservation – The Next Generation” chaired by Tim Knox CVO, Director of the Royal Collection. Icon’s CEO Emma Jhita was a panel member alongside:
- Tobit Curteis FIIC, FSA, ACR – Founding Partner, Tobit Curteis Associates
- Dr Bronwyn Ormsby FIIC – Principal Conservation Scientist, Tate and 2024 Plowden Medal Winner
- Deborah Pocock LVO – CEO, The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST)
The panel explored the future of conservation from nurturing new talent to sustaining long-term investment in the field.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Plowden Medal to Professor Aviva Burnstock, Painting Conservator at The Courtauld, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the field through her work as an educator, where her teaching is always underpinned by her research into both artist’s materials and techniques, and conservation practice.
The medal was awarded by Philip Coward, President of the RWHA and Grantee of The Hill Brush Company Ltd., during a celebratory reception supported by Valvona & Crolla.
This event once again shone a light on the vital role of conservation in preserving our shared cultural heritage and on the people ensuring that expertise continues to thrive for generations to come.
For more details visit: https://www.royalwarrant.org/
Established in 1999 to commemorate the life and work of the late Hon. Anna Plowden CBE (1938 – 1997), the Plowden Medal was endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, of which she was Vice-President. It is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the conservation profession. The award covers all aspects of conservation be they practical, theoretical or managerial –and is open to those working in private practice or institutions. Previous winners are:
- Garry Thomson CBE (1999)
- Dr Jonathan Ashley-Smith (2000)
- Donald Insall CBE (2001)
- Dr David Leigh (2002)
- Clare Meredith (2003)
- Christopher Clarkson (2004)
- Carole Milner (2005)
- James Black (2006)
- Dr Vincent Daniels (2007)
- David Pinniger (2008)
- Professor Nicholas Pickwoad (2009)
- David Watkinson (2010)
- Kate Colleran (2011)
- Professor May Cassar (2012)
- Jonathan Betts MBE (2013)
- Dr Jim Tate (2014)
- Nancy Bell (2015)
- Sarah Staniforth (2015)
- Ksynia Marko (2016)
- Professor Sharon Cather (2017)
- Alan Derbyshire (2018)
- Caroline Bendix (2019)
- Katy Lithgow (2020)
- Stephen Clare MBE and Professor Jane Henderson FIIC (2021)
- Julie Dawson (2022)
- Professor Sarah Brown (2023)
- Dr Bronwyn Ormsby (2024)
- Professor Aviva Burnstock (2025)
