Plowden Medal

About

Inaugurated in 1999, the award commemorates the Hon. Anna Plowden CBE, a leading conservator and Grantee of Plowden & Smith, who was the President-elect of the Association at the time of her death in 1997.

Presented at an Association event, the Plowden Medal covers all aspects of conservation, be they practical, theoretical or managerial, and is open to both those working in private practice and those employed by institutions.

The winner of the Plowden Medal 2024 was Dr Bronwyn Ormsby, Conservation Scientist for Care of Modern & Contemporary Art.

Nominations for 2025 will open in February.
 

Past Winners' Citations

Previous Winners

2024: Dr Bronwyn Ormsby

Conservation Scientist Dr. Bronwyn Ormsby has been awarded the 2024 Plowden Medal for Conservation in its 25th anniversary year, recognised internationally for her work on the scientific characterisation of modern paints and her dedication to the development of novel cleaning methods for the treatment of modern materials. 

Previous Winners

2023: Professor Sarah Brown

Stained glass conservation pioneer Professor Sarah Brown has been awarded the 2023 Plowden Medal for Conservation, recognised for her significant contribution to the stained glass conservation sector.

Previous Winners

2022: Julie Dawson

Julie was awarded the Medal for her lasting impact in her field of archaeological artefact conservation. Based at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge for almost four decades, her achievements resonate far beyond. She has had an outstanding career as a conservator, scholar of ancient Egyptian materials, and tireless standard-bearer for the care of cultural heritage. 

Previous Winners

2021: Professor Jane Henderson FIIC

Jane was awarded the Medal for her outstanding leadership and development of new generations of conservation professionals, her role in the development of the profession, and her continuing commitment to bringing leading research and innovations into conservation practice both in the UK and internationally. Jane is a leading educator, thinker, and champion of conservation practice.

Previous Winners

2021: Stephen Clare MBE

Stephen was awarded the Medal for his outstanding contribution to stained glass conservation and his advocacy for, and support of, student and early career stained glass conservators. Stephen is a leading authority in the field of stained glass conservation, receiving an MBE in 2020 for his services to stained glass conservation. He is also a founder of Royal Warrant-holding company, Holy Well Glass.

Previous Winners

2020: Katy Lithgow

Awarded the Medal for her inspirational leadership and powerful advocacy for the sustainability of cultural heritage, Katy works as an accredited conservator, researcher, and teacher within the National Trust and the wider heritage conservation profession.

Submit a Nomination

The winner of the Plowden Medal 2024 was Dr Bronwyn Ormsby. Nominations for 2025 will open in February.

Nominations for the Medal can be from any area of conservation, whether practical, theoretical or managerial. It is open to individuals working in either private practice or with institutions. Reasons for nomination might include any project or other endeavour within the conservation of our cultural heritage, which has brought credit to the profession and/or the nominated candidate.

For any further information, please email [email protected].