Introduction

Are you responsible for, or working on, historic places or objects?

Then you will need a specialist historic environment professional.



You can find them on The Arc.

Finding the Specialists You Need

On The Arc you’ll find the registers of specialist historic environment professionals.

They are recognised by their professional bodies as highly-skilled specialists in the study and care of our historic environment.

The Registers include:

  • CIfA-Accredited archaeological organisations
  • CIAT-Accredited Conservationists
  • Icon-Accredited Conservator-Restorers
  • Construction Professionals who have completed the CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme
Go to the registers

Understanding the Historic Environment

Our historic environment is made up of all aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether immoveable or moveable, visible, buried or submerged.

We realise we may use terms that you may not be familiar with. please follow this link to find a helpful Glossary.

The registers you’ll find on The Arc are managed by The Arc’s four founding participants. For more information about them, please follow this link.

The Arc also has a number of generous supporters. They believe it’s important to help you find the most appropriate professional to help you preserve or care for items in our historic environment. For more information about The Arc supporters, please follow this link.

About You

Are you responsible for or want to preserve or care for items in our historic environment? Do you own or manage or are the custodian of something historic?

The people and organisations using The Arc include:

  • Private individuals
    Homeowners
    Collectors
    Landowners
  • Custodians of public buildings and collections
    Museums
    Galleries
    Archives
    Libraries
  • Property professionals
    Architects
    Interior designers and decorators
    Building contractors
    Civil engineering contractors
    Housebuilders
    Property developers
    Property investors
    Facilities managers
    Consultants, agents and advisors to any of the above
Go to the registers

Choosing a Specialist

Your choice of specialist historic environment professional has a direct impact on the quality of work carried out.

The professionals you find through The Arc are the most appropriate people for you to work with, because they are recognised by their professional bodies as highly skilled specialists in the study and care of our historic environment.

They have:

  • specialist knowledge and skills
  • professional qualifications
  • signed up to a code of professional ethics
  • committed to regularly maintain their competence through CPD (continuing professional development)
Go to the registers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need The Arc?

You need The Arc if you’re responsible for preserving or caring for historic items or places.

What do you mean by historic places or objects?

The definition is broad. Historic places include landscapes, buildings, monuments and other structures that may or may not be listed. Historic objects have personal, cultural, aesthetic or heritage value and need to be preserved and or cared for. They may be in private hands or in public collections. Examples include archaeological remains, artworks, books or anything else from our past that has significance.

What sort of specialist historic environment professionals might I need?

If you’re responsible for works to a landscapes, buildings , monuments or other structures, you may need a CIfA-Accredited archaeological organisation, an architectural professional on the CIAT-Accredited Conservationist or a construction professional who has completed the CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme.

If you’re responsible for preserving or caring for historic items, you may need a CIfA-Accredited archaeological organisation or an Icon-Accredited Conservator-Restorer depending on the item. 

Any of the specialist historic environment professionals you’ll find through The Arc will be able to advise you on the best professional or team of professionals for you.

What is the benefit of using professionals I can find through The Arc?

The professionals you find through The Arc are the most appropriate people for you to work with, because they are recognised by their professional bodies as highly skilled specialists in the study and care of our historic environment.

How can I be sure of the quality of specialist historic environment professionals I can find through The Arc?

They are recognised by their professional bodies as highly skilled specialists in the study and care of our historic environment. They signed up to their respective code of conduct and professional ethics and they commit to regularly maintain their competence through CPD (continuing professional development).

Who else might I need?

Any of the specialist historic environment professionals you’ll find through The Arc will be able to advise you on the best professional or team of professionals for you.

How much might their services cost?

This will vary depending on the complexity and scope of your requirements. Contact specialist historic environment professionals through The Arc to get quotes and advice on the best professional or team of professionals for you.

Latest News

  • New Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan

    01

    New Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan

    31 October 2024

    The Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England (HESCAPE) has been officially published.
  • 18th-century hospital to become sustainable homes

    02

    18th-century hospital to become sustainable homes

    05 August 2024

    A former mental health establishment founded by a Quaker in 1792 is to be converted into 120 energy-efficient homes in York.