RIBA Elections 2020

Simon Allfordportraitjpg — Simon Allford has been elected RIBA President (2021-23). Image by Tom Mesquitta

Thank you to all RIBA Members who voted, from every category of membership and from around the world.

Thank you also to all the candidates who put themselves forward to take an active and leadership role in both the RIBA and the future of the architectural profession as a whole.

RIBA President

Congratulations to Simon Allford who will be the RIBA’s 79th President. Simon will serve as President Elect from 1 September 2020, and will then serve as RIBA President for a two-year term beginning on 1 September 2021 followed by one year as Immediate Past President from 2023-2024.

The role of RIBA President was established in 1835 and is the highest elected position in UK architecture. The President chairs RIBA Council, which acts as the representative body for the membership.

Speaking today, Simon Allford said:

“It is a privilege to have been elected and I look forward to working with members, Council, Board and staff to create a leaner, more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated RIBA.

We need an institute of ideas with architecture front and centre, hosting debates, lectures and exhibitions reflecting changing cultural and practice contexts. We need an institute that celebrates and promotes members’ work at home and worldwide. We need an institute that is a practice friend, enabling members to share ideas about best ways of working, using today’s technology to help advance architecture for the benefit of society – our Charter obligation.

I am committed to the ‘House of Architecture @ RIBA’, an online and physical entity capable of forming alliances with clients, consultants and contractors to influence government over procurement and education, while also helping us to address global climate change and architecture’s pivotal role in a post-pandemic world.”

RSAW Presidency

There was one candidate for the role of RSAW Presidency. Therefore Gavin Traylor is elected unopposed. Gavin will take up his term as President Elect on 1 September 2020 and become President from September 2021 for a two-year term.

Speaking today, Gavin Traylor said:

“I am incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to represent all architects in Wales and am looking forward to taking a seat on RIBA Council during my term as RSAW President (2021-23).

These are challenging times and it is important that we stand together as a profession and truly engage with our members across all the nations and regions.

Where there are challenges, there will be opportunities and I intend to fully engage with colleagues at RSAW and RIBA for the betterment of our profession.

I also wish to acknowledge those members who supported my nomination, diolch yn fawr.”

RIBA Council – National Seats

There were nine candidates for two available seats. Simone de Gale and Jennifer Dixon have been elected onto National Council.

The successful candidates will serve on the RIBA Council for a three-year term beginning on 1 September 2020.

RIBA Council – International Seats

The Americas

There were two candidates for one available seat. Catherine Davis has been elected as the Americas representative on the RIBA Council.

Asia and Australasia

There were three candidates for one available seat. Ken Wai has been elected as the Asia and Australasia representative on the RIBA Council.

Europe (excluding the UK)

There was one candidate for this seat. Tim Clark is elected unopposed.

The Middle East & Africa

There was one candidate for this seat. Alice Asafu-Adjaye is elected unopposed.

RIBA Council – Regional Seats

The successful candidates will serve on the RIBA Council for a three-year term beginning on 1 September 2020.

RIBA East

There was one candidate for this seat. Roger Shrimplin is elected unopposed. (This seat is elected for a shorter term of two years from 1 September 2020.)

RIBA London

There were 21 candidates for six available seats. The elected RIBA London Council Members are:

David Adjei
Sarah Akigbogun
Angela Dapper
Femi Oresanya
Jack Pringle
Anna Webster

RIBA South East

There were three candidates for two available seats. The elected RIBA South East Council Members are:

Duncan Baker-Brown
Danka Stefan

RIBA South of Scotland

There were no candidates for this seat, therefore the seat remains vacant.

RIBA South West

There was one candidate for this seat. Graham Devine is elected unopposed.

RIBA Wessex

There was one candidate for this seat. Yuli Cadney-Toh is elected unopposed.

RIBA West Midlands

There was one candidate for this seat. Philip Twiss is elected unopposed.

RIBA Council – Associate Member Seat

There were no candidates for this seat, therefore the seat remains vacant.

Turnout

For RIBA President

For the first time, all members had the opportunity to vote for the RIBA President. 17.2% of Chartered Members voted – a slight decrease from the last Presidential election in 2018 – and 6.7% of newly enfranchised Student, Associate and Affiliate Members voted. The overall turnout was 13.2%.

For RIBA Council seats

Only Chartered Members were eligible to vote for Council seats, and 17.2% voted. This is an increase from the last Council elections in 2019.

Elections reports

Data Protection

The RIBA was made aware that some members had been contacted directly by campaigning candidate(s). RIBA members’ contact details are available via architecture.com using the Find an Architect tool. Contact details are only displayed if consent has been granted by the member. Other email addresses may be available via members’ websites, of which RIBA has no control. The RIBA never shares personal information with third parties unless consent has explicitly been obtained. For further information read the RIBA's privacy notice.

Preservation of the User's privacy is very important to the RIBA and we are committed to protecting the rights of users in relation to their personal information. We confirm that all personal information will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

RIBA International Members – 2020 elections voting error

In 2020, we made an error in our Council Election process. While international members were able to vote for the two available international seats, they were not able to do so for the two available UK national seats. We want to apologise to all RIBA International Members for this temporary oversight and confirm that voting rights were reviewed and fully reinstated for the 2021 elections. We remain committed to ensuring all members have a voice and are represented.