Leaders in Learning for Practice Network

In August 2026, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) launched a call to register Interest in a new ‘Leaders in Learning for Practice Network’, for service leads in built and historic environment conservation-led learning and training programmes, with resources allocated, advocacy a priority, and plans to be shaped by Network members.

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: "This initiative follows on from the IHBC’s commitment to ‘Integrate’ learning in those areas of conservation most relevant to our Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation. We are now laying the foundations by developing a new network – open, but targeting conservation outcomes; to help support those leaders of relevant learning, training and education programmes who want to help us deliver on our commitments to built and historic environment conservation practice and outcomes.

"Network members will also enjoy the benefits that we’ll be offering in return for that support. ‘Research underpinning our Commitments (seen HERE) confirmed there’s a real need for a proactive, resourced network to advocate, advise and where possible help these pressured services. This cross-sector, interdisciplinary and inclusive network will be well placed to initiate that wide-reaching support. Many will know that already the IHBC helps a small section of this conservation community – from providers of CPD to post-graduate and related conservation courses. However even this wide embrace represents only a small part of the community of players that we know need more support and integration. This planned Network will mark a huge step forward for all."

John Pendlebury, IHBC’s Consultant supporting the new network, said: "Ongoing learning is critical for those practicing in the historic environment sector, whether through formally structured CPD or otherwise. The IHBC’s 5th Commitment from its Parliamentary/ Briefing in November 2025 is to help to ‘Integrate’ the diverse threads of skills, learning and experience. For this, we agreed to ‘Establish and host a new network, open and free, to support service leads delivering conservation-related learning, training and education… from craft to retrofit.’ We will soon launch a full call for expressions of interest from those interested in engaging with a ‘Leaders in Learning for Practice Network".

REGISTER INTEREST HERE

See more on the IHBC’s Parliamentary ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation…’

See more on the IHBC’s free support for self-directed learning in Built and Historic Environment Conservation on our SelfStarter

See more on IHBC’s learning support and networks HERE

See more background HERE

This article was originally posted in IHBC NewsBlog on 25 August 2026.

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

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