The IHBC’s first virtual AGM on 3 December 2020 overwhelmingly supported the adoption of its new Articles of Association – ‘paving the way for modernisation and more’ – after which members of all categories joined in brief discussions on strategies and prospects – from furloughing to chartership – as the IHBC navigates its way beyond the pandemic.
… trustees focussed first on the duties of a trustee …
… advisory Council …
… byelaws that represent the same modern standards …
The adoption by the IHBC’s 2020 AGM of new Articles of Association secures the foundation for a more contemporary structure and more substantial governance, as well as a more inclusive approach to membership and practitioner support.
Major developments from the original constitution include:
- A Board with elected trustees focussed first on the duties of a trustee
- An overseeing and advisory Council that blends elected, nominated and selected representatives from across the UK-wide Branches and membership
- A mandate to draw up byelaws that represent the same modern standards seen in the new Articles, while also reflecting the unique legacy, profile, needs and aspirations of the IHBC’s interdisciplinary membership and multidisciplinary members, its Committees, Working Groups and practice networks.
The IHBC has already received approval for the changes from UK charity regulators in line with guidance.
… [adoption of] new Articles marks the next step in the modernisation of the IHBC …
… corporate and individual chartership is an obvious next step …
IHBC President Mike Brown said: ‘The enthusiastic adoption by our members of the new Articles marks the next step in the modernisation of the IHBC as a specialist and professional body and charity for the 21st century. As such, they are paving the way for our modernisation and much more.’
‘We look forward to embedding its principles into our new governance and, beyond that, to lifting the IHBC so it can be recognised for its unique approach to built and historic environment conservation.’
‘For many, corporate and individual chartership is an obvious next step, so we will look very closely at that, in line with our corporate planning’.
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘I’m delighted that these new Articles of Association have been so well received.’
‘They build on the IHBC’s 2019 AGM’s endorsement of the ‘Proposal for future governance of the Institute’, while they also represent the new standards our members are demanding of the IHBC as their professional body and ethical advocate.’
‘The IHBC supports both conservation standards for built and historic specialists as well as a wider spectrum of cost-effective services and guidance for the diverse players that shape our valued places. Our members and networks need the best and most flexible support we can offer, and these articles will underpin our response to their needs: cultural, social, environmental and economic.’
… [Articles are] the starting point for testing the new model governance …
IHBC Secretary Jo Evans said: ‘The new Articles are not written in stone. Rather they are the starting point for testing the new model governance through detailed implementation.’
… We will now build our byelaws …
‘We will now build our byelaws to align with the new constitutional framework, while also reflecting both our practice needs and our legacy. If these raise issues with any aspects of the Articles, we will look at those again too.’
… immediate priority … to arrange new AGM …
‘The immediate priority is of course to arrange new AGM operating under the adopted articles, which trustees will be examining in the coming weeks.’
… conclusion to the ‘experimental evolution’ that proved so successful in our ‘IHBC+ …
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘The new Articles were redrafted by our legal advisers Knights Solicitors under the close oversight of the IHBC Board. They represent the final conclusion to the ‘experimental evolution’ that proved so successful in our ‘IHBC+’ over the last 5 years.’
‘IHBC+ itself was distinguished first by its more inclusive guiding ‘Council’, initiated in 2015 under the oversight of then IHBC President Trefor Thorpe. The programme bore its most tangible first outcome with the adoption of the ‘Proposal for future governance of the Institute’ at the 2019 AGM, led by James Caird. The adoption of our new Articles represents the conclusion of that programme.’
‘The real works starts now: with the next stage simple to point out, but infinitely complex to deliver: ‘Build in the new governance, and then step up again!’
‘Our new Corporate Plan for 2020-25, also adopted at the AGM, will be critical to guiding us in these next steps.’
See the background to the modernisation of the IHBC’s governance HERE
See full details, background and updates on the AGM and on the IHBC NewsBlogs
