As the Government lead for the archives sector in England, The National Archives is committed to bringing this new vision to life, championing archives as vital and integral to our society and helping them to become more accessible, inclusive and sustainable.
To achieve the ambitions set out in this strategic vision and to deliver impact in measurable ways, archives must work in partnership together. Archives must address the key challenges head on and make the most of the opportunities that our fast-changing world presents.
What next?
Guided by the Vision Steering Group – a coalition of leading partners and practitioners – The National Archives will develop a robust action plan to deliver on the three strategic themes of this vision.
This plan will have clear goals, measurable outputs and transparent reporting on the progress of the archives sector. Throughout the life of the vision, task groups will be convened to focus on key challenges, spark innovation, and share best practice.
Based on the progress achieved and current circumstances, the action plan will be reviewed every year to show the focus and priorities for delivering the vision.
Archives at the heart of society
Archives are invaluable as the heartbeat of our collective memory. They are about every single one of us – we all create records and evidence of our existence, and we all have need of those records. Without them, we lose the thread of who we are – and who we might become.
Imagine a world without archives: no trace of our past, no bridge to our future. Now imagine thriving archives that safeguard our identity, empower our communities, and fuel innovation across culture, education, and democracy.
Protecting today’s records – and tomorrow’s – means protecting our sense of belonging, our cultural heritage, our wellbeing, our democratic rights, and our shared knowledge. Archives are truly at the heart of our society.
Current members of the vision steering group
Lucy Fletcher (Chair)
The National Archives
Guy Baxter
Museum of English Rural Life (University of Reading)
Alistair Brown
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Beth Brunton
The National Archives
Luke Burton
Arts Council England
Justin Cavernelis-Frost
Rothschild Archive
John Chambers
Archives and Records Association
William Kilbride
Digital Preservation Coalition
Sophie Lancaster
Arts Council England
Ian Leete
Local Government Association
Emma Markiewicz
The London Archives
Tina Morton
The National Archives
Arike Oke
British Film Institute
Alison Petersen
National Railway Museum
Anna Sexton
Forum for Archives and Records Management Education and Research (FARMER)
Richard Wragg
Natural History Museum