The organisations listed below support professional standards, accreditation, education and best practice across the conservation sector. They may be useful when assembling a project team or seeking specialist advice on the care, repair and adaptation of historic buildings. Organisations are grouped by professional discipline.
Architects & Architectural Professionals
These organisations represent architects and other architectural professionals working in the conservation, repair, and adaptation of historic buildings.
AABC – Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation
AABC is an independent accreditation body that maintains a register of architects skilled and experienced in the conservation, repair and adaptation of historic buildings. Through rigorous peer and lay assessment, AABC promotes the highest standards of specialist architectural skills in the historic built environment.
Website: www.aabc-register.co.uk
RIBA Conservation Register
The Royal Institute of British Architects maintains a Conservation Register recognising architects with experience and expertise in the care, repair and adaptation of historic buildings.
Website: www.riba.org
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
RIAS operates an Accreditation in Conservation Architecture scheme for architects working with Scotland's historic environment and historic buildings.
Website: www.rias.org.uk
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
The RIAI Conservation Accreditation System supports architects working in the conservation, protection and management of historic buildings throughout Ireland.
Website: www.riai.ie
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
CIAT represents Chartered Architectural Technologists and maintains a Directory of Accredited Conservationists for members with recognised conservation expertise.
Website: www.architecturaltechnology.com
Conservation & Heritage Professionals
These organisations support specialists involved in conservation, management and understanding of the historic environment.
Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
The IHBC is the UK's professional body for specialists working in the conservation and management of the historic environment. Members come from a wide range of disciplines including planning, architecture, archaeology and surveying.
Website: www.ihbc.org.uk
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
Founded in 1877, SPAB promotes the protection, repair and maintenance of historic buildings through training, education, technical advice and advocacy.
Website: www.spab.org.uk
Institute of Conservation (Icon)
Icon is the professional body for conservators and restorers. It supports specialists working across cultural heritage, including historic buildings, collections, archives and artefacts.
Website: www.icon.org.uk
Council on Training in Architectural Conservation (COTAC)
COTAC promotes education, training and professional standards in architectural conservation. It works across disciplines to support competence, encourage best practice and help develop the skills needed for the conservation and management of the historic built environment.
Website: www.cotac.global
Engineering, Surveying & Construction Professionals
These organisations represent professionals involved in the investigation, repair and delivery of conservation projects.
Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE)
CARE is a conservation accreditation scheme jointly administered by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers. It recognises engineers with specialist expertise in the conservation and repair of historic structures.
Website: www.ice.org.uk
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
RICS supports professionals working in land, property, infrastructure and construction. Its Building Conservation Accreditation Scheme recognises expertise in the conservation and management of historic buildings.
Website: www.rics.org
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
CIOB is the professional body for construction management professionals. It operates a Building Conservation Certification Scheme for practitioners involved in the delivery and management of conservation projects.
Website: www.ciob.org
Public Bodies & Historic Environment Organisations
These organisations provide guidance, research, statutory advice and support relating to the protection of the historic environment.
Historic England
Historic England is the public body responsible for helping people understand, protect and care for England's historic environment through advice, guidance, research and training.
Website: historicengland.org.uk
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland's historic environment.
Website: www.historicenvironment.scot
Cadw
Cadw is the Welsh Government's historic environment service and works to protect, conserve and promote the historic environment of Wales.
Website: cadw.gov.wales
Historic Environment Division (Northern Ireland)
Part of the Department for Communities, the Historic Environment Division is responsible for protecting and promoting Northern Ireland's historic environment.
Website: www.communities-ni.gov.uk