42 C O N T E X T 1 7 4 : D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 Notes from the chair Do, learn, do This issue of Context should be as much about looking forward as looking back. I shall consider both, and that is reflected in its title of ‘Do, learn, do’. I came across the phrase recently in a radio programme that was discussing changing course in business practice. As in politics, businesses do not like to use the word U-turn, preferring euphemisms such as ‘pivot’. ‘Do, learn, do’ is currently in vogue and means incremental change: evolution rather than revolution. On one hand it recommends slow progress in taking an action, reviewing it and then taking another action which might be in the same direction or changing, according to circumstances. On the other, the ‘do’ part of the phrase suggests that it is better to act, then review, rather than think too much in advance. As to the inauguration of the IHBC in 1997, I was fortunate enough to attend the opening event at St Pancras Chambers. I do not have a strong memory of the event itself. It was before the renovation of the station and hotel, and I suspect that I was as much interested in seeing the spectacular interiors, which had been out of public view for many years, as listening to the speeches.What I do have is a copy of an image that was commissioned from Louis Hellman, the well-known cartoonist at the Architects’ Journal, reproduced here. To commemorate the event, I set up a celebratory toast and lunch between the first president and chair of the IHBC, Malcolm Airs and Mary King the present incumbents, Mike Brown and myself. (Thanks to IHBC member Josie Murray, senior heritage adviser at HS1, for her help in setting it up.) I will report on that event in the next issue of Context. It was appropriate that our celebrations took place beside the John Betjeman statue, which was erected in homage to the poet and campaigner for Victorian architecture. The formation of the IHBC from the Association of Conservation Officers was certainly revolution rather than evolution, in changing what had been described as a club for like-minded local government conservation officers to a fully blown professional institute with full-time paid staff, and formal membership requirements. We have come a long way. Instituting a rigorous membership assessment process, a code of practice and the promotion of high professional standards, underpinned by robust articles of association, set the IHBC in good stead. In terms of relationships within the sector, we have rightly claimed to be punching above our weight. The growth in membership over the past 25 years has been impressive, but the shift in balance between those in private and public sectors has been the most noticeable change. It has been to the credit of the IHBC that this has been taken on board and we have adapted accordingly. There were some momentous national and world events in 1997, from Tony Blair’s New Labour government to the death of Princess Diana. The main event I would like to draw attention to is the Kyoto Protocol, which committed industrialised countries to controlling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with individual targets. This major step is now an accepted part of international cooperation on climate change. Today we are all too aware of the climate emergency and the need to control emissions. It would have been truly innovative thinking if on its inception the IHBC could have been making a case for the innate sustainability of the historic environment with an eye to the threat of climate change, but so much for hindsight. In 1997 the art world was rocked by the Sensation Exhibition at the Royal Academy and the recognition of Young British Artists. This was another revolution in its own way. Love it or hate it, the event propelled a number of unknown artists into the public eye, some of whom, such as Damien Hurst and Tracey Emin, are now household names. Something that was once revolutionary is now almost mainstream. Coincidentally, at St Pancras Station, not far from the John Betjeman statue is an artwork by Tracey Emin in neon, ‘I want my time with you’. It was installed in 2018 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the station and 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy. Having gone through a 1997 revolution, the IHBC’s approach subsequently has been one of evolution and do, learn, do. In Context 172 (June 2022) Seán O’Reilly listed some of our digital achievements, which exemplify how truly professional the IHBC has become. From our website to Newsblogs, the Events Calendar, CPD emails and our presence at COP26 it is clear that we have a strong digital presence. There are too many other achievements to deal with in detail here, but I should
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