Dezeen Magazine

HTA Design architect Ben Derbyshire elected as next RIBA president

Architect Ben Derbyshire has been elected to become the next president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Derbyshire is managing partner of design consultancy HTA Design, which has offices in London and Edinburgh. He will succeed current RIBA president Jane Duncan in September 2017 and will hold the position for two years.

The architect plans to tackle "turbulent times" by pushing forward with Duncan's initiatives and projects, which include a new five-year strategy for the UK institution and policy guidelines ahead of Brexit.

"In winning this election I am conscious of a great sense of responsibility owed to architects everywhere, in all corners of the UK and overseas," said Derbyshire.

"Jane Duncan has laid the foundations for change at the RIBA that I look forward to driving forward, when I take up the role of president," he continued.

"My primary goal is to champion architects so that they, our sister professions and clients, can advance architecture as the cornerstone of the well-designed and more sustainable built environment society desperately needs. All architects, wherever and however we practice, need an RIBA that works for us."

Derbyshire won 53.8 per cent of the vote, beating rival candidates Alan Jones and Andrew Salter. He will become the 76th president in the institute's 180-year history, giving direction to RIBA policy and budget.

He will officially be given the title President Elect on 1 September 2016.

"I look forward to passing this important baton on to Ben Derbyshire and ensuring that our profession has a strong voice and all our members, wherever they are, have the skills and support they need to thrive," said Duncan.