The Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA) awards the country’s most prestigious award for conservation, The Plowden Medal, each year, presented at the Association’s Annual Luncheon, to the person deemed to have made the most significant recent contribution to the advancement of conservation.

Founded in 1999, the medal commemorates the work of leading conservator and Royal Warrant holder the Hon. Anna Plowden CBE, who was President-elect of the RWHA at the time of her death in 1997.

Previous winners of the Plowden Medal include people working in areas as diverse as portrait miniatures, tapestries, the preservation of historic buildings and conservation guidelines for museums. The award covers all aspects of conservation – be it practical, theoretical or managerial – and is open to those working in private practice or institutions.

Richard Peck, Secretary of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, says, ‘The Royal Warrant Holders Association represents around 800 Royal Warrant holders who are united by a commitment to the highest standards of quality, service and excellence and who have collectively played a part in shaping Britain’s cultural heritage. Conservation is essential in protecting that heritage, and so the RWHA is delighted to award the Plowden Medal each year.’

Caroline writes:
Receiving the Plowden Medal has been an overwhelming honour and delight. Although I have received much support throughout my career, not least from Dr. Nicholas Pickwoad and the National Trust, as a freelance conservator one treads a slightly solitary path; to be honoured by the Royal Warrant Holders Association and by my professional peers is a wonderful acknowledgement of all that I have done over the years and I am immensely proud to be the 2019 recipient.