C O N T E X T 1 7 4 : D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 17 THE IHBC AT 25 The emphasis is always on teamwork, and to a depth that stretches my knowledge. The laserlike legal updates, the articles in Context and the searchable databases on the website are great resources. I have had the privilege of attending many happy summer schools – Winchester, Belfast, Carlisle, Llandudno and Nottingham – and superb branch events in the west midlands and north-west. The friendships I have made through IHBC are treasured. I have volunteered for AABC, CARE and RICS accreditation schemes and have enjoyed seeing the IHBC marque gain recognition. Traditionally, professionals would have followed a structured pathway around an agreed academic curriculum before supervised practice. The emergence of the IHBC’s competencybased system as a peer to those schemes is a sign of how far ahead of its time it was. IHBC standards succeed as our core because they are designed to bring together people with different perspectives. The IHBC has carved out a unique position for its members in the eyes of the public and policy makers. From its broad base, perhaps because of its broad base, it has become a consistent, trusted voice in the sector. The IHBC’s future is filled with opportunities. There will be the option of strengthening its identity as an accrediting professional body, it is ideally placed to lead the sector in best practice, and it might increase its geographic reach. I imagine it will always be a welcoming place that I feel honoured to call home. Lynda Jubb, historic buildings professional Approachable and affordable Congratulations from the Royal Town Planning Institute to the IHBC on reaching the grand old age of 25. In the world of advertising, the 18–34 demographic is purportedly the most coveted, so this must make the IHBC at the peak of its value. Planning is a process that seeks to balance often conflicting priorities on our infinitely complex environment and thrives on highquality evidence delivered by knowledgeable specialists. In those terms the IHBC provides an invaluable service in enriching the performance of historic-environment specialists and empowering them to make their case. Like many members of the RTPI, I see the IHBC as a complementary offer that makes the need to create similar content redundant. Over time, the institute has developed an impressive network of regionally based activity that provides support to what are often quite isolated building conservation roles. Approachable, affordable and generally not too self-satisfied, the IHBC has managed to avoid some of the pitfalls that other specialist bodies in the built environment world have been more challenged by over time, maintaining the spirit of the Association of Conservation Officers that came before it. There was solidarity between our two organisations from the start. Early IHBC representatives in this region report having had a generous welcome from the local RTPI branch at the IHBC launch. That was helped by the fact that the RTPI and IHBC added up to a very small group of people who all knew each other already. Over time, joint working on events may not have been sustained as well as it might have, so hopefully the anniversary can encourage better communication and combining forces periodically on interdisciplinary talks that are grounded in their local context. At the national level there is already a respectful relationship that benefits from the resilience provided by the two organisations on matters such as government consultations.Whether it be research into the future of Historic England or changes to planning policy, it is reassuring to know that the IHBC will be providing informed commentary behind the scenes. Being based in the same region, I have had the pleasure of learning on many occasions from Roy Lewis, chair of the IHBC policy committee, who provides a calm and measured voice in an increasingly polarised world. A world away from the tiresome ranting of YIMBYs and NIMBYS on social media, the informed analysis provided by the IHBC reps helps ensure good policy and procedures are more likely to land. To prove the point, you will struggle to find a better summary of the current state of play with regard to design codes than the article that Roy wrote for Context 172 (June 2022). The RTPI and the IHBC face many of the same challenges and opportunities. Climate change gives additional focus to the role of spatial planning in terms of sustainable development, and building conservation through the prism of embedded energy. Both benefit from a properly resourced public sector, and a more legible and consistent framework for the private sector to operate in. Conversely, the two institutes still have a long way to go in terms of making the sectors truly representative of the diverse communities in which they serve – a dynamic felt keenly in a location like Leicester. Whether mentoring young planners from more diverse ethnicities or watching the cut through that traditional skills sessions can have with diverse communities, the potential for capturing more talent is unmistakable. Justin Webber, chair of the RTPI urban design network and senior building conservation officer at Leicester City Council
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