Following Icon's election as an appointing body of the National Trust, Professor Jane Henderson ACR FIIC has been selected by Icon for nomination to the Council.
Following Icon’s election as an Appointing Body of the National Trust, at the Trust’s AGM in November, Icon issued an open call for expressions of interest in this opportunity from amongst its members.
We were delighted by the level of response received and would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who expressed an interest and applied for this opportunity. Following a review of applications by Icon’s Nominations Committee, Professor Jane Henderson ARC FIIC was selected as a stand-out voice for conservation and professional conservators on the National Trust Council. Jane will attend Council meetings, initially as an observer until a position formally becomes available (which the National Trust anticipates will be during 2025).
Nomination of Professor Jane Henderson ARC FIIC
As a recognised thought-leader in the conservation community, Jane is the Secretary General of the International Institute of Conservation (IIC) and has long been an active supporter of Icon. This includes playing a foundational role in developing professional accreditation. Professor of Conservation at Cardiff University, Jane is a passionate educator and academic embedded in practice. Throughout her career, she has challenged traditional structures of conservation decision-making, supported sustainability practices, and collaborated with conservation professionals on communication and influence within the field.
When asked about her nomination, Jane said:
I am absolutely delighted to be the Icon nomination for the National Trust board. I am a huge fan of the trust as a visitor, scone consumer and of the work that conservation team delivers. For all my career in conservation the conservators from the NT have offered world leading analysis and guidance and I very much want to support the Trust to continue to deliver this.
Emma Jhita, CEO of Icon also commented on Jane's nomination, sharing:
I am thrilled Jane will be taking up a seat on the National Trust Council as a leading voice for the profession and a passionate advocate for the vital role of conservation within the wider heritage sector. I am confident Jane will champion the concerns and contributions of conservators and maximise the value of conservation within the future ambitions of the National Trust.
About the National Trust Council
The Council is one of two main governance bodies and plays an important role in how the National Trust is governed. The council's key governance responsibilities are to appoint the Board of Trustees and to hold it to account. The Council is made up of 36 members, with 18 elected members and 18 appointmed members from organisations (called Appointing Bodies) which have a connection to the Trust's work.
The Appointing Bodies are 18 organisations that are elected by National Trust members every six years. The organisations generally operate in areas that are connected to the Trust's work, such as nature, conservation, heritage, and volunteering.
To find out more, please visit the National Trust Council and Appointing Bodies Page.