IHBC North Branch’s first in-person event since the global pandemic pause took place in Newcastle on 26 May, with informal networking tours, refreshments and an AGM at which the new committee was elected and the IHBC’s 25th anniversary – IHBC25 – was celebrated.
… a fantastic committee and membership base…
… exciting new programme of events and activities…
IHBC North Branch Chair, Oonagh Cranley, said: ‘I am delighted to be formally elected as Chair of the IHBC North Branch. I have a fantastic committee and membership base behind me who want to reinvigorate our local network after a difficult few years.’
‘We have launched an exciting new programme of events and activities for the region – which happily coincides with the IHBC’s 25th anniversary #IHBC25.’
‘The Institute has achieved so much in its 25 year history and I look forward to contributing to its next chapter.’
Oonagh’s employers, Lichfields, supported her time, and write: ‘Lichfields would like to congratulate Oonagh Cranley, Associate Director at the Newcastle Office, on her recent appointment as Chair of the IHBC North Branch.’
‘The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is the professional body for historic environment experts and conservation specialists. It exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all.’
‘The Institute has a strong network of regional branches that support the national organisation and its members. The North Branch covers Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.’
The North Branch AGM update to members reported:
ELECTED BRANCH COMMITTEE
- Oonagh Cranley (Chair)
- Michael Atkinson (Treasurer)
- Rebecca Taylor (Secretary)
- Stewart Ramsdale (Membership Secretary)
- Sarah Dyer, Roger Higgins, Sharon Kelly, John Pendlebury and Geoff Underwood (Committee Members).
EVENTS
The AGM marked the launch of our Seasonal Events Programme which will include:
- Summer – Membership Application Training Event (MATE) and Update on New Membership Categories
- Autumn – Cumbria Field Trip – Practical Skills and Projects
- Winter – Heritage and Design Conference – Law, Policy and Guidance Updates
#IHBC25
We are celebrating #IHBC25 by reinvigorating branch connections:
- We plan to bookend the year with two Members’ Socials to help us reconnect as a network of friends, colleagues and practitioners.
- We will recognise the contributions of our long-serving members through a special #IHBC25 Branch Award.
- We look to the future of the Institute and will engage with the next generation of members through a Student Award.
MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT
We want to understand our members better and how we can best serve them:
- We will issue a members’ survey later in the year;
- We are updating our communications strategy with more frequent and focused mailouts to members and increased use of social media.
- We want to strengthen our regional network and are hoping to launch a members’ mentoring scheme to help share the wealth of experience and support members at all stages in their careers.
For more background see the NewsBlog – IHBC North Branch: ‘In person again, at last’ – Free networking, news, AGM, Tours & #IHBC25 too, on 26/05
See more on the North Branch HERE
See more on all IHBC Branches HERE
