LONDON.- The Royal Institute of British Architects has today (Thursday 9 April) announced the inaugural members of its new Board of Trustees. The appointment of the new Board members follows a change in the RIBA’s constitution in order to streamline its governance structure.

Sir Nigel Carrington, currently Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Arts London, will join the Board, alongside experts from the worlds of architecture, business and culture. He will take up the role of Chair in September 2020.

The newly created RIBA Board will oversee the RIBA’s operations. Trustees will work closely with RIBA Council - the representative body – which oversees the organisation’s strategy on behalf of the architecture profession.

The new RIBA Board comprises a range of RIBA Council and independent members, with portfolios of expertise, alongside the President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. The confirmed new trustees, who will each serve for up to three years, are:

· Sir Nigel Carrington (Chair Elect)

Sir Nigel Carrington has held senior roles in law, business and higher education. He was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2019 for services to Higher Education and the Creative Industries.

· Jo Bacon (Culture & Events)

Architect and Managing Partner of Allies and Morrison Architects, Jo Bacon has over 30 years’ experience in practice and is Chair of the RIBA Awards Group.

· Valeria Passetti (Membership Development)

Valeria Passetti is Managing Director at Conception Architects and RIBA Vice President (Membership).

· Nicky Watson (Learning)

Architect and Director at JDDK Architects for 20 years, Nicky Watson is currently RIBA Vice President (Education).

· Matt Jones (Digital)

Matt Jones is a Principal Designer at Google AI and lectures in technology and design.

· Murray Orr (Business & Enterprise)

Senior banker and Chartered Accountant, Murray Orr has over 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

· MaryAnne Stevens (Heritage)

MaryAnne Stevens is an art historian, curator and lecturer and former Director of Academic Affairs, Royal Academy of Arts, London.

Two further trustees are yet to be announced.

The new RIBA Board has been established following a comprehensive review of the RIBA’s governance structures, which commenced in mid-2017. It is expected to meet for the first time later this month.

RIBA Honorary Secretary Kerr Robertson said: “We are delighted to appoint Sir Nigel Carrington, and such an esteemed cohort of expert advisors as inaugural members of our new Board of Trustees. Their skills and knowledge, ranging from business and law, to arts and education, will be exceptional assets as we develop the RIBA and ensure it is in the best position to support our current and future members.”

RIBA Chief Executive Alan Vallance said: “This is an historic moment - the culmination of almost three years of detailed member consultation and development. Our new governance structure will enable us to be even more efficient, effective, and focused on better outcomes for our members. My team and I look forward to drawing on the expertise of Sir Nigel Carrington and our new trustees, as we move into this exciting new era.”

Sir Nigel Carrington said: “I am honoured to have been selected to join the new RIBA Board and to take on the Chair role from September 2020. The RIBA is at an important point in its development and has a great opportunity to build on its role as a global and inclusive professional membership body. I look forward to working alongside my fellow trustees, and to supporting the organisation to focus on excellence, building stronger communities and environmental sustainability.”