Conservation Award

Lord Weatherill presents Johathan Ashley-Smith with the Plowden Medal at the Royal Warrant Holders Association dinner. Photography by John Stone (click image for larger version)

Jonathan Ashley-Smith, Head of the Conservation department at the V&A, was awarded the Plowden Medal in recognition of his significant contribution to the advancement of the conservation profession. The gold medal was ingaugurated in 1999 when the first winner was Garry Thomson. It is awarded annually by the Royal Warrant Holders Association in memory of the late Anna Plowden, a leading conservator who died in 1997.

The nomination cited Jonathan as an outstanding conservation thinker. Through his publications he has demonstrated that conservation is not only a service but a fascinating way of looking at changes in the physical world. He has encouraged his staff to carry out research, to publish, and to develop partnerships and training programmes. His leadership has resulted in the Conservation Department at the V&A being recognized as an international centre of excellence.