and 2015. Activities The Institute brings together all those involved with the care of cultural heritage, whether directly involved, including professional conservators and restorers, conservation scientists and teachers, students and interns, or organisations and individuals that own or hold items of heritage. Its membership also includes volunteers, heritage professionals and many others who share a commitment to improving understanding of and access to the cultural heritage. Most of its members are UK-based but many also work internationally. The Institute’s vision is for cultural heritage to be valued and accessible, and its future to be enhanced and safeguarded. It raises public and political awareness of the cultural, social and economic value of caring for heritage and champions high standards of conservation. Membership Categories of membership are Associates, Accredited, Supporters, Students/Interns, Pathway (for those working towards Accreditation), and Emeritus. Professional Accreditation Since 2000, the Institute of Conservation and it predecessor bodies have operated professional accreditation for trained and qualified professionals, who are now designated “Icon Accredited” and use the post-nominal ACR (Accredited Conservator-Restorer). They are searchable online via the Conservation Register and among those listed are practices which offer a commercial service. The formal accreditation scheme fulfils the role of self-regulation of the profession in the UK, underpinned by Professional Standards, a Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedure, all based on principles of agreed ethical practice. Over 1000 Icon members are now accredited. Governance The Institute is a registered charity with a Board of sixteen Trustees, Chaired by James Grierson. Previous Chairs were Siobhan Stevenson, Juergen Vervoorst, Simon Cane, Anna Southall OBE and Interim Chair Carole Milner OBE. The Chief Executive Officer is Sara Crofts. Previous CEOs were Alison Richmond and Alastair McCapra. An Accreditation Committee oversees the formal process of accreditation. Its current Chair is Sarah Peek, former chairs having been Sarah Staniforth CBE and Clare Meredith. The Professional Standards and Development oversees, manages and advises on policy development and implementation of conservation related professional standards, training and education and research, and is currently chaired by Mel Houston. Conferences In addition to the conferences and other events organised by its speciality groups and networks, Icon organises a Triennial Conference. Publications and Communications The Journal of the Institute of Conservation, published three times a year, ISSN 1945-5224, Editor Jonathan Kemp Icon News, published six times a year, ISSN 1749-8988, Editor Lynette Gill The Institute’s electronic newsletters are Icon Newsletter, distributed monthly externally,