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Birmingham architect elected first ever female president of RIBA

5103/SA 23rd July 2008

Local architect and academic, Ruth Reed, has been elected the next President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The achievement is particularly notable as not only is she the first ever female president of the Institute but also the first in living memory to be elected from the West Midlands region. She will become President Elect on 1 September 2008 and will succeed the current President, Sunand Prasad, on 1 September 2009.

Announcing the election results, Richard Hastilow, Chief Executive of the RIBA, said: “We congratulate Ruth Reed on her success – and welcome the first female president of the RIBA.  Congratulations also to Andrew Hanson on a strong result in a closely-contested election.”

Ruth is Course Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice at the Birmingham School of Architecture, part of Birmingham City University and a Partner in Green Planning Solutions.  She has also sat on the RIBA’s Council, been Vice President of Membership, Chaired the RIBA’s CPD Sub-committee and served as President of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales. 

Speaking today, Ruth Reed said: “It is a great honour and responsibility and I am very excited about the prospect of becoming President. Teaching and working in the West Midlands will bring a new perspective to the role. I would like to thank Andrew for a constructive campaign and I look forward to working with Sunand, I have great respect for him”.

Professor David Tidmarsh, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University echoed this praise and said: “Ruth’s dedication and commitment to work has paid off and we are extremely proud of everything she has achieved.

“This is an extremely high accolade for Ruth and does much to further strengthen the esteemed architecture team we have here at the University.”

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

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