RIBA Honorary Fellows

Director, Flanders Architecture Institute

As Director of the Flanders Architecture Institute (FAI), Sofie De Caigny heads an institute that creates opportunity through egalitarian competitions and open calls. Also producing tours and exhibitions, Sofie’s work has taken the FAI in an extraordinary and standout direction. Notably, she promoted Flanders architecture through her curation of Maatwerk: Architecture from Flanders and the Netherlands at the German Architecture Museum (Frankfurt, 2016) and As Found: Experiments in Preservation’ at De Singel International Arts Center (Antwerp, 2023).

Social Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of The Ubele Initiative

Yvonne Field is an activist who mobilises community groups and encourages community building. Founder and CEO of The Ubele Initiative, a social enterprise promoting Black and community-led development, her work has revitalised disadvantaged neighbourhoods, providing spaces that inspire and uplift, acting as an unwavering advocate for sustainable and creative approaches. Established in 2014, Ubele produces a significant body of national research including ‘A Place to Call Home’ (2015 and 2024) which highlighted the need for new, more sustainable models of design as well as capacity building support for iconic Black and racially minoritised community spaces across England.

Project Manager and Structural Engineer

Dedicated to improving the quality of design in the built environment, Colin Glen is a Project Manager and Structural Engineer who is a passionate advocate for affordable housing. As the Chair of the Community Land Trust Network (the UK's first urban community land trust to provide genuinely affordable homes), he was instrumental in delivering St Clements CLT Homes in Mile End, London. Colin is also the founder of Genesis Projects Incorporated Ltd., a project management practice which he has used as a vehicle to empower architects of Black heritage, providing them with a platform and opportunities to contribute to the built environment.

RIBA Director of Commercial Programmes and Delivery

In her 35 year tenure as a member of staff at RIBA, Belinda Irlam-Mowbray has been passionately promoting architecture to a wider audience. During that time, she founded the RIBA Local Initiative Fund, empowering a wide range of grassroots member activities. Belinda was also the driving force behind the touring RIBA Architruck, inviting the public onboard to be inspired by design excellence and the power of architecture.

Local Authority Executive Director

Debbie Jackson is the current Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy and Planning at Westminster City Council, having previously been the Director of the Built Environment with the Greater London Authority (GLA). During her time at the GLA she led the teams that developed the Good Growth Fund and Good Growth by Design policies, both of which highlighted the role the environment can play in enabling positive cross-cutting outcomes for local communities - wellbeing, economic and social - through thoughtful stewardship and collaboration.

Artist, Designer and Author

Adam Nathaniel Furman’s work is guided by their love of architecture. Engaging and interactive, Adam Nathaniel's work explores all scales of spatial design and art forms. Their portfolio of work includes video and prints, large public artworks, products, furniture and interiors. Acting as a strong voice for LGBTQIA+ places and stories, Adam Nathaniel co-authored the RIBA Publishing book Queer Spaces in 2022.

Structural Engineer and Timber Engineer

Bola Ogunmefun is a Chartered Structural Engineer and Founding Director of Tisserin - a civil and structural engineering consultancy promoting of low carbon and sustainable materials. Bola has conducted strong outreach participation work both as a mentor and as a part time tutor and lecturer at the Architectural Association, UCL, The Royal College of Arts, and the University of the Arts London. An inspiration to many students and young architects, he has devised and delivered several Timber and Hybrid Structures Courses designed to better equip architectural students for designing with natural materials such as timber and straw.

Cultural Arts Producer, AHMM

Claire Pollock is a cultural producer with three decades of experience specialising in innovative collaboration and participation within architecture including at Arts Council England, CABE and the Architecture Centre Network. As Partnerships Lead at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Claire is utilising the practice’s resources to deliver a high impact programme to a diverse range of communities. She also helps educate and develop the next generation of architects including an annual summer school for young people.

Project Lead, Bristol Housing Festival and Project 1000

In founding and directing Bristol Housing Festival and Project 1000, Jeremy (Jez) Sweetland is leading in the strategic development of housing provisions in Bristol, creating meaningful change. The Bristol Housing Festival, now in its fifth year, is trialing and showcasing pioneering housing solutions for the city and beyond. Jez is also the lead for Project 1000, which seeks to aid Bristol Council’s ambition to build 1000 affordable homes a year by 2024.

The role of the Honours Committee is to consider the nominations for the Royal Gold Medal and RIBA Honorary Fellowships, received from RIBA’s Chartered Members and Fellows. The committee is chaired every year by the RIBA President. 

Meet the Honours Committee 2024