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The North East economy has transformed itself over the past 25 years with historical industries such as shipbuilding, mining and steel giving way to the new industries of electronics, automotive production and telecommunications.

Today the manufacturing industry is the strongest part of the region's economy. Public administration, education and health and the private service sector also form a significant section of the 1.1m workforce.

Although a great deal of the region is rural in nature and includes areas of outstanding natural beauty, 70% of the population live in our cities and towns.

RIBA North East region is co-terminus with the area covered by the regional development agency One North East. It includes a population of some 2.6m people, covering an area that stretches from Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish borders to the North of the region down to the Yorkshire Borders in the south.

Architects and in particular RIBA members play a key role in development of both public and private sectors within the region, whether that is at the centre of local authority regeneration initiatives, working on master plans with key private sector organisations or achieving the best possible for clients in all areas of commercial markets. Our towns and cities across the North East have undergone a transformation in the last 3-decades and our skyline is now lit by some of the most recognisable buildings in Britain and across the world, including the RIBA Stirling Prize winner, The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and national award winning buildings such as The Sage Gateshead.

RIBA North East is therefore working hard on behalf of members to ensure that Chartered Architects have a strong voice in the region by operating closely with regional and local government, our educational institutions and the regional media.