Ruth Reed to become next president of the RIBA

Ruth Reed is to become the first female president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The Birmingham-based teacher and architect has been elected ahead of her sole opponent, RIBA London chair Andrew Hanson. She will become president elect from 1 September, and will succeed incumbent Sunand Prasad in 2009.

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Reed is a former president of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales and a course director at the Birmingham School of Architecture. During the campaign, she has been a vocal supporter of greater power being given to the different regions of the RIBA, and has run into controversy for comments on the “centralised” nature of the institute.

In her manifesto, she pledged to take action to improve the planning system, improve architectural education and communicate better with RIBA members.

Reed said: “This is a huge honour and responsibility, and I am very excited about the prospect of becoming president.

“Andrew was a great opponent and we had a constructive debate about the future of the profession with the membership. I am looking forward to working with Sunand, I have great respect for him.”