Icon celebrates its 20th anniversary throughout 2025 and will use this milestone to explore the opportunity to petition for Royal Charter - join us at an information session to learn more about the process and share your thoughts!
What is a Royal Charter?
A Royal Charter is issued by the monarch through the Privy Council Office (PCO) and is used to establish significant organisations such as universities and learned societies. Historic Charters include that granted to the University of Cambridge in 1231 and, before that, to the Worshipful Company of Weavers in 1150. Charters continue to be issued by the British Crown with many of Icon’s peer organisations (such as the Chartered Institute for Archaeology, CIfA, and the Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA) holding a Charter. The list of existing Chartered Professions, and more information about the process, can be accessed here: Royal Charters - The Privy Council Office
What is the process?
The first step in this process is to explore the opportunity with Icon’s membership.
These information sessions mark the beginning of a period of consultation with members and other heritage organisations, both those we work closely with and others operating within the wider sector. If there is strong support for the proposal, Icon will submit a Memorandum (or letter of intent) to the PCO. The Memorandum will make the case for the granting of a Royal Charter to Icon and will provide evidence of the high professional and ethical standards of conservators, the value of accreditation and the benefits that a Charter would provide both conservation and the wider heritage sector.
Our FAQ page will continue to be updated throughout the consultation process.
