The Trust’s logo can be seen across the city; cast in plaques, carved in the city’s pavements and even in stained glass in York Minster. Over time the charity’s brand has morphed with evolving colours, lettering and images. Some of the city’s earliest hand painted plaques now need to be replaced we decided it was time to refresh our visual identity to bring all elements of the Trust’s work together.
Working with York-based design agency LazenbyBrown, we have refined our original logo. The Trust’s logo was chosen when Trust was founded in 1946 and was inspired by the York assay mark of 1423. An assay mark was a guarantee of quality, stamped on precious metals to confirm their standard. York’s right to use one signified the city’s importance as a centre of trade and craftsmanship in the medieval period. In addition to the historic fleur-de-lis, the new logo more closely resembles the leopard-like face of the original mark. The result is a clearer, more distinctive symbol that will serve the organisation for years to come.
Old logo (1946-2025)
New logo (from 2025)
The brand refresh also introduces a new colour palette and typography with strong ties to York’s history. The headline typeface references the work of Frank Pick, a former pupil of St Peter’s School, York, and later a pioneering figure in British design. Pick was instrumental in commissioning the Johnston typeface for the London Underground.
“The brand refresh is a big step, and one that will help shift perceptions of the Trust. The new logo, colours and typeface, developed with LazenbyBrown, will help us present a clearer, more consistent identity, one that reflects who we are today and ensures the Trust remains relevant and recognisable for years to come.”
Delma Tomlin, Chair, York Civic Trust
“In such changing times for heritage and place branding it’s been a pleasure to assist the York Civic Trust to define and develop an identity that defines and characterises their progressive approach to stewardship of such a remarkable City as York.”
Mat Lazenby, Creative Director, LazenbyBrown
York Civic Trust at 80
The refreshed identity launches as York Civic Trust prepares to mark a major milestone. Founded in 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, we have spent eight decades promoting the sensitive conservation of York’s heritage while supporting the city’s growth as a thriving, modern place for residents and visitors. Our legacy includes supporting the foundation of the University of York, campaigning for pedestrianisation of the historic city centre, conserving or reusing twenty-one important historic buildings, and installing hundreds of blue plaques across the city.
In 2025 the Trust will launch ‘Our York’, a three-year programme of events and initiatives that both celebrate the city’s rich history and look ahead to the future. Highlights will include a major refresh of the blue plaques scheme, a new community heritage grants programme, and expanded outreach work to engage more people in shaping York’s story.