The arc: identifying and engaging specialist historic environment professionals

The Arc: an historic built environment online resource (visit at https://the-arc.uk/) created by founding partners:

• CIAT - Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
• CIfA - Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
• CIOB - Chartered Institute of Building
• Icon - Institute of Conservation

The Arc is an online resource for clients and stakeholders in the built and historic environment sectors. The Arc's purpose is to help clients find specialist historic environment professionals, including CIAT-Accredited Conservationists.

It does this by signposting clients and stakeholders to the registers of the founding participants that contain contact details for accredited or similarly qualified individuals and businesses.

The goal is to help clients and stakeholders make informed decisions when choosing historic environment professionals. It simplifies access to and clarifies the benefits of engaging appropriately qualified and experienced professionals. The founding participants agreed to work closely together in the interest of clients, stakeholder and wider industry to promote The Arc alongside their own registers.

Having launched 2024, The Arc will complete its first full year of operation in 2025 and is developing plans for 2026 and beyond. The focus will be on expanding its reach and strengthening collaboration.

Plans for the next phase include engaging with additional register holders to join The Arc and building wider support among organisations working in the historic environment, ensuring The Arc becomes a central hub for clients to find trusted professional expertise.

This article originally appeared on the CIAT news and blog site as 'CIAT collaborates with CIOB, CIfA, Icon to launch The Arc', dated 29 August, 2024 and was updated as 'The Arc participants reaffirm commitment with new MOU' dated 5 November 2025.

--CIAT

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