IOSH
Leading chartered bodies urge government action
A united call to champion stronger professional standards
- Date posted
- 19 February 2026
- Type
- News
- Estimated reading time
- 5 minute read
IOSH has joined more than 40 chartered and professional bodies in signing an open letter to Pat McFadden, the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Urging government to elevate chartered professionalism
Sent ahead of Chartered Week (23–27 February), the letter highlights the collective strength of chartered organisations. Together, they represent over 1.5 million professionals.
It also calls for the government to make professional registration and chartered status an expectation across vital sectors, including the civil service.
A united call to rebuild trust and raise standards
The letter makes clear that chartered bodies have a crucial role in helping rebuild public trust in key services. It emphasises their unique strengths:
- upholding strong professional standards supported by Royal Charters
- delivering ethical codes of conduct and safeguarding the freedom of professionals to raise concerns
- strengthening the UK economy by developing highly skilled workforces across critical sectors.
By standing with fellow organisations, including institutes representing science, engineering, management, law, environment, and other fields, IOSH reinforces the vital contribution that professional bodies make to long-term policy credibility and national renewal.
IOSH Chief Executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher said: “IOSH is pleased to support this letter, reflecting our longstanding commitment to the highest standards of professional competence and ethical practice.
“Chartered bodies offer an invaluable source of independent, evidence based expertise drawn from practitioners who work across every part of the economy. By engaging with them, the Government can strengthen the credibility, resilience and effectiveness of public policy, ensuring it is informed by recognised professional standards and real world insight.”
Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher
- Job role
- Chief Executive
- Company
- IOSH
Championing professionalism in safety and health
As the only chartered body for occupational safety and health, IOSH’s involvement underscores the essential role of professional competence in protecting workers and improving organisational performance.
Vanessa added: “IOSH stands ready to contribute its expertise in occupational safety and health to help build public trust, support a highly skilled workforce and advance the UK’s long‑term economic and social wellbeing.”
A collective commitment to public interest
IOSH is proud to stand with its fellow chartered bodies in championing the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability – principles essential to maintaining trust, supporting innovation, and safeguarding people across the UK.
Earlier this year, IOSH also co-signed another letter initiated by Memcom, the body for senior leaders in professional bodies, trade associations, learned societies and the wider membership sector. This letter was intended to raise awareness of professional bodies and the role they play in the skills agenda. The aim was to help boost productivity and build competitiveness.
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Dear Secretary of State
Chartered bodies can help rebuild trust in public services
Chartered and professional bodies should be key partners of government as it builds trust in the public and business services we all depend on.
Our Chartered Alliance of over 40 organisations represents a combined membership of over two million people. That makes us a powerful ally in growing confidence across professions that are crucial to national growth and renewal.
Partnering with us in areas as diverse as science, technology, engineering and maths, the environment, law, accountancy, leadership and management, projects, payroll, and procurement, will ensure public policy has long-term credibility.
We have unique strengths in our membership communities and in our responsibility to be the voice of our professions, often supported by Royal Charters.
We drive revenue into the economy, by ensuring we have highly skilled workforces across critical sectors, rooted in professional registration and practice.
We create broad and accessible routes to professional careers, while keeping standards high, providing competitive advantage for the UK around the world.
Our members make clear ethical commitments as part of our Codes of Conduct, and support professionals’ freedom and safety to raise concerns, regardless of discipline.
Active membership of a professional body is a pledge of public accountability, which is critical in the AI age.
That is why we are asking government to take a lead in expecting and promoting registration and Chartered status for all professionals in the vital sectors represented here, including in the civil service.
We would be delighted to explore this further with you and welcome your support for the second Chartered Week campaign taking place 23-27 February 2026.
This letter is sent by the Chartered Week Alliance on behalf of the following signatories:
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (Chartered IIA)
CILIP: The Library and Information Association
Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL)
Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Engineering Council Institute for Systems Engineering (IfSE)
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS)
Institute of Directors (IoD)
Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)
Institute of Physics (IOP)
Institute of Water Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)
Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Nuclear Institute Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Society for the Environment (SocEnv)
The Science Council
Last updated: 27 February 2026
