Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 92
CIOB’s Conservation Conference,
in partnership with English
Heritage, breaks new ground,
bringing together the finest
experts in the built heritage
industry
Every year CIOB’s Conservation Conference, in
partnership with English Heritage, breaks new ground,
bringing together the finest experts in the built heritage
industry, and our event in March 2025 was no different.
Hundreds of people filled Central London’s Congress
Centre, a conference hall that fittingly combines state-ofthe-art technology with 1950s Modernist features.
Enthralled by our annual conference on conservation and
built heritage, this year entitled ‘Engage, Involve,
Empower’, the attendees witnessed presentations and
discussions delving in to the innovations, the successes,
the tribulations, the joys, and the future of our industry.
The conference was intended as an opportunity to
celebrate the creativity and ingenuity that exists within
our talented community, to applaud the beauty and intricacies of our built environment, and the incredible people that work so hard to preserve that. We are a nation
that prides itself on our architecture, our building practices, and the talented men and women over the centuries
that have built all that surrounds us. Our conference this
year took the time to recognise all of this; to encourage
the pride we should all feel in our built heritage.
There were, however, some stark warnings regarding the
future of the industry. The lack of new entrants coming
into the workforce, economic pressures, and the inexorable rise of technology, are all key factors in how we navigate the years to come. But these warnings were made
alongside hope, that with the right policies, messaging,
and support, the built heritage sector, and the construction industry around it, will do what it’s always done:
adapt and succeed.
Our brilliant, engaging speakers held the floor with
tremendous passion and unparalleled knowledge,
contributing with gusto and humour to what was a
remarkable event for all who attended. Sophie Norton,
Head of Conservation at Messenger, returned for her second year in a row, beginning the morning session with a
fascinating discussion around Creativity vs RE-Creativity.
Following Sophie, Scott McGibbon of Pvotal Consultancy
talked about the gamification of learning, showcasing an
immersive system to train and engage people, whilst doing
so in a safe environment.
