Tuesday 1 September 2020 marks a period of significant change as we say thank you to some wonderful, passionate and committed RIBA Members who have served on national, regional and branch councils for a number of years. We also welcome new faces to represent the RIBA, from branch and regional chairs, to RIBA Council.
RIBA Council
John Wilde of Babcock completes three years representing RIBA South West on RIBA Council. Before this, John served as RIBA South West chair and RIBA Exeter chair.
Andy Bourne of UWE Bristol concludes five years representing RIBA Wessex on RIBA Council. He is a member of the branch committee and was RIBA Bristol & Bath chair from 2013 to 2014. Nick Mills of Vision Mills completes three years representing RIBA Wessex in RIBA Council.
"It has never been more important to ensure that the RIBA actively hears and takes notice of the voice of the local member," John said. "Representation on RIBA Council is the only way to achieve a direct link between the local member and those on the new RIBA board."
Graham Devine of LHC Design has been re-elected to serve a second term representing RIBA South West, and we welcome Yuli Cadney-Toh of BDP as the new representative of RIBA Wessex on RIBA Council from September.
RIBA South West (Devon and Cornwall)
Rachael Gaunt of PBWC Architects in St Ives concludes a year as RIBA South West Chair with Jane Hamlyn of Atelier 3 Architects becoming the new regional chair. Rachael becomes the Immediate Past Chair.
Jason Jarvis of Create Design+Architecture has completed two years as RIBA Cornwall chair. The new chair will be announced shortly. If you are interested in this role, please email riba.southwest@riba.org.
Sarah Lee and Nick Morris of Stride Treglown have completed four years joint chairing the RIBA Plymouth branch and hand over to Matt Parkes as the new chair. Matt is also at Stride Treglown in the city.
Andy Long has completed two years chairing the RIBA Exeter branch and hands over to Steve Eastland of Steve Eastland Design Ltd.
RIBA Wessex (Bath, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire)
Kirsty Pesticcio completes two years leading the RIBA Bristol & Bath branch and hands over to Sophie Jarzebowski of AHR Architects.
Chris Ryder of GSS Architecture has been elected as chair-elect of RIBA Gloucestershire, and will take over as branch chair on 1 September 2021.
Chris commented: "In these unprecedented times, I intend on promoting Gloucestershire as a county that is open for business, and to work with partners to bring investment and opportunity. Hard times are likely to be looming; now is the time to pull together as a collective, to protect the future of the profession within Gloucestershire." Read Chris' full manifesto (PDF).
Tom Bell of Kenko Architects continues his term as regional chair of RIBA Wessex. The role of chair-elect of RIBA Wessex leading to becoming regional chair on 1 September 2021 is currently open for nominations. Please email jon.watkins@riba.org.
View the full list of our chairs and councillors.
RIBA South West regional director Jon Watkins said: "This is a time of change across our two regions and branches in the South West of England. The people who have given the RIBA so much in their time representing the RIBA are commended.
"They have given passion, commitment, ideas, drive, enthusiasm. They give all of this on a voluntary basis through their evenings, their lunchtimes, and even their weekends. The RIBA can only thrive and move forward with people like this giving so much. So thank you from all of us.
"We welcome all our new chairs and representatives and look forward to working with you as we continue to position the RIBA as a place for innovation, support and influence."
