ALAN JONES ELECTED RIBA PRESIDENT, 2019-21 
09 August 2018
Alan Jones, BSc Architecture 1987, chartered architect, director of his own practice in Randalstown, County Antrim, Senior Lecturer at Queen’s and currently RIBA’s Vice President for Education, has been elected the next President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Mr Jones will take over the two-year presidential term from Ben Derbyshire next year (1 September 2019); from 1 September 2018 he will officially become RIBA President Elect.
Speaking about his election Mr Jones said: “I am honoured to become the next President of the RIBA and wish to thank everyone who supported me, engaged with the election process and took time to vote.
“I appreciate respect is not given lightly and must be earned. I am hugely grateful for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Ben Derbyshire and past presidents, people who I have huge respect for. I wish to build on their successes.”
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body that serves its 43,000 members and society ‘to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment’.
The role of RIBA President was established in 1835 and is the highest elected position in UK architecture. As President, Mr Jones will chair the RIBA Council, the Charity Trustees who are ultimately responsible for the conduct and development of the Institute.
“The RIBA is a fantastic organisation with great resources, particularly its staff who I am keen to support more than ever,” said its incoming President-elect.
“As individuals and as an institution, we need to come together to make the most of our assets, and make the case for our profession.”
Alan Jones was born in 1964 in Northern Ireland and attended Coleraine Academical Institution and Ballymena Academy before coming to Queen’s to study for an Architecture degree.
He graduated in 1987 with the first distinction in seven years and took the offer of a summer job with Michael Hopkins & Partners, London, which turned into seven years working on Schlumberger Cambridge Research and Inland Revenue (Nottingham), amongst other projects. He then spent three years as an associate with David Morley Architects on projects at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
It was after this tenure in 1998 that he decided to return, with his family, to his roots in Northern Ireland; a place where he ‘wanted to make a difference’. He set up Alan Jones Architects in Randalstown in County Antrim and went on to teach at the then School of Architecture – now the School of Natural and Built Environment – at Queen’s.
As a Senior Lecturer Mr Jones helped lead Architecture at the University to fifth in The Guardian’s League Table and, in 2018, first for added value.
His private practice has created projects which are cited in design guides, have received RIBA awards and enjoy global recognition. In 2016 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
As a trustee on the RIBA’s Council and Board, he has championed social mobility and a closer, more supportive relationship between education and practice, creating an upward spiral of benefits and advances for architects and society.
RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “Congratulations to Alan Jones on the vote of confidence he has received from our members – I look forward to supporting him in the role both as President Elect and after I’ve passed on the baton next year.
“To be chosen as RIBA President is a tremendous honour and responsibility, representing the collective strength and talent of our 43,000 members and 300 staff in a leading role to advance the profession of architecture. The RIBA has an exciting future and I hope I can rely on Alan’s support during my second year in office as we continue to push the Institute’s ambitious programme forward.”
For further press information contact the RIBA media team or telephone +44 (0)20 7580 5533.
General enquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office at Queen’s University Belfast, tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
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