RIBA has confirmed that director at Bell Phillips Architects, Jay Morton has been elected as its next President, succeeding Chris Williamson when she becomes President-Elect on 1 September.
Morton defeated fellow contenders Duncan Baker-Brown, Chithra Marsh and Austin Williams. The 40-year old architect is the fourth woman elected to the role, and has worked on large scale housing, masterplanning and regeneration projects, and “spent over a decade shaping housing and built environment policy at local and national level and contributing to public debate,” commented RIBA. As well as regularly engaging with media, policymakers and professional forums, she also hosts the Architects for Change podcast.
Morton serves on design review panels and the steering group for Architects’ Action for Affordable Housing. RIBA commented: “Known for her clear communication and advocacy, she brings experience in policy influence, public engagement and practice leadership.”
Morton said: “I want to reach out and collaborate with all of you, from small practice to large organisation, across the UK and globally. We have an amazing network, and together we can raise our profile, increase our agency, and share the value of our truly wonderful profession.”
She added: “I will work tirelessly, and I will keep banging the drum for our profession.”
Morton commented in a post on LinkedIn, thanking “everyone who had given and support and ideas” throughout her campaign.