Professor Jane Henderson ACR FIIC selected by Icon for nomination to National Trust Council

Following Icon's election as an Appointing Body of the National Trust, Professor Jane Henderson ACR FIIC has been selected by Icon for nomination to the Council.

Following Icon’s election as an Appointing Body of the National Trust, at the Trust’s AGM in November, Icon issued an open call for expressions of interest in this opportunity from amongst its members.

Professor Jane Henderson ARC FIIC was selected following a review of applications by Icon’s Nominations Committee.

She was a stand-out voice for conservation and professional conservators on the National Trust Council.

Professor Henderson will attend Council meetings, initially as an observer until a position formally becomes available in 2025.​

As a recognised thought-leader in the conservation community, Professor Henderson is the Secretary General of the International Institute of Conservation (IIC) and has long been an active supporter of Icon.

This includes playing a foundational role in developing professional accreditation. Professor of Conservation at Cardiff University, Professor Henderson is a passionate educator and academic embedded in practice.

Throughout her career she has challenged traditional structures of conservation decision-making, supporting sustainability practices, and collaborating with conservation professionals on communication and influence within the field.

Professor Henderson said:

“For all my career in conservation the conservators from the National Trust have offered world-leading analysis and guidance and I very much want to support the Trust to continue to deliver this."

Emma Jhita, Chief Executive Officer of Icon commented on Jane's nomination, sharing, “I’m thrilled Jane will be taking up a seat on the National Trust Council.

“As a leading voice for the profession and a passionate advocate for the vital role of conservation within the wider heritage sector, I’m confident Jane will champion the concerns and contributions of Icon members and maximise the value of conservation within the future ambitions of the National Trust.”

The Council is one of two main governance bodies and plays an important role in how the National Trust is governed.

Its key governance responsibilities are to appoint the Board of Trustees and hold it to account.

The Council is made up of 36 members, with 18 elected members and 18 appointed members from organisations connected to the Trust's work.

The Appointing Bodies are 18 organisations are elected by National Trust members every six years.

The organisations generally operate in areas connected to the Trust’s work, such as nature, conservation, heritage and volunteering.

To find out more, please visit the National Trust Council and Appointing Bodies.