The 2025 CIOB Conservation Conference will focus on the people behind the projects preserving UK historic buildings, says Caroline Gumble.
One of my favourite events in the CIOB calendar is our annual Conservation Conference, a gathering that celebrates the creativity, dedication and expertise within the heritage and conservation sector. This year, we’re proud to announce the theme for our conference is ‘Engage. Involve. Empower’.
As someone with a deep appreciation for the historic built environment, I’ve been fortunate to visit breathtaking sites across the UK and beyond. These visits, combined with our annual conference, continually renew my enthusiasm for the conservation sector.
Each year, our event showcases industry experts and their insights into the intricate work involved in preserving our unique historical buildings and sites. The 2025 conference will focus on the people behind these projects, exploring how creativity shapes every part of the process. From artistic drawing and innovative materials to education and visitor engagement, this year’s theme highlights how human ingenuity drives heritage work.
Key themes for 2025 include:
- Age and inspiration: exploring young people’s perceptions of heritage and conservation.
- Innovation and technology: examining how advancing technologies transform learning, decision-making and investment.
- Stakeholder involvement: showing how heritage staff use creative skills to shape conservation projects.
- Community engagement: showcasing methods to inspire public participation and connections with historic sites.
- Heritage skills cycle: covering the spectrum of conservation work – from surveying and design to installation and repair – emphasising the interconnectedness between disciplines on projects.
One of the things I’ve been struck by at previous conferences is how traditional techniques can work so well with cutting-edge digital tools. Our conference is about how conservation professionals combine the old and new to bring out the best in our historic buildings.
I am very much looking forward to this event and I am grateful to our Heritage Advisory Panel, particularly Rebecca Thompson FCIOB, director of property at St Paul’s Cathedral, and Stewart Wright MCIOB, head of building conservation at English Heritage. Their passion and deep knowledge will help to deliver an excellently curated event, with a line-up of fantastic speakers.
Do join us in a few weeks to celebrate the creativity and collaborative spirit that keeps our heritage alive for future generations.
Caroline Gumble is CEO of CIOB.
The CIOB Conservation Conference will take place on 12 March 2025 at Congress Centre, Great Russell Street, London. For more information, visit the event’s webpage.
