New horizons for Icon’s Chair, James Grierson

I shall be stepping down as Icon Chair when my term comes to an end in December, having made the decision not to serve a second three-year term.  The AGM will be my last formal activity.  

As most members are aware, Icon is one of a number of part time roles I have, including several in the heritage sector.  This year marks exactly 30 years since I began my first non-executive board role in the NHS, and I have served on boards continuously ever since to the extent that board work on a voluntary basis is now broadly equivalent to working full time.  I am now looking to gradually simplify my commitments. 

This has, of course, been a strange three years for all of us. Within a few weeks of taking over as Chair we were in lock-down and this meant that  engaging with stakeholders – one of the key features of the role – wasn’t possible.  Instead, the whole Icon community found itself coping with uncertainty, improvising and learning new ways to be effective.  Whilst this had many positive aspects, it also posed challenges for many members, for their educators/employers/clients and also for your professional  body.   

I was pleased to have been able to attract some worthwhile charitable donations to underpin Icon’s work and Sara Crofts, Icon’s very dedicated and experienced Chief Executive, succeeded in winning two rounds of financial support from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.  These measures, along with increases in membership fees put Icon into a far better position than we’d have been without them. 

Over the next few years, it will be vital for Icon to secure a stronger financial footing, and this will involve increasing fees, raising more money from charitable donations and commercial sponsorships and, above all, increasing the size of the membership.  The more effectively the members support Icon, the more effective Icon will be in supporting its members and delivering its wider charitable objects. 

My hopes for Icon over the coming years are: 

1. A strategic, big-picture, business-like and influential voice for good in heritage and conservation. 

2. Wielding influence in promoting a profession that is more representative of society  

3. Greater appreciation across society of the importance of conservation. 

4. A significant extension of  our international footprint 

5. Deeper public recognition of the expertise of  conservation professionals, especially our accredited members. 

6. A wider offer of membership services and benefits 

7. All underpinned by a stronger financial performance, without which none of the other objectives will be achieved. 

My time as your Chair has allowed me an opportunity to engage with fascinating issues, wonderful objects, compelling stories and extremely skilled and dedicated individuals.  This has been a privilege and a pleasure, and I intend to remain connected to the Icon community through my supporter membership. 

James Grierson