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

Then you will need a specialist historic environment professional.

The Arc can help you source specialist historic environment professionals. It is funded and led by CIfA, CIAT, CIOB and Icon and you can find details of their registers on this site.

The Registers participating in The Arc are:

• CIfA-Accredited Archaeologists and CIfA Registered Organisations
• CIAT-Accredited Conservationists
• Icon-Accredited Conservator-Restorers
• Construction Professionals who have completed the CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme

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.

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

Not all specialist historic environment professional registers participate in The Arc yet, so for some specialisms you will need to go directly to the professional body.   

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)

Not all specialist historic environment professional registers participate in The Arc yet, so for some specialisms you will need to go directly to the professional body.   

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Chartered Institute of Building The Institute of Conservation

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. Not all specialist historic environment professional registers participate in The Arc yet. There are separate conservation accreditation schemes for architects, engineers, building surveyors, building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts. For some specialisms you will need to consult these registers. You can find them on the Historic England website by following this link.

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.