First challenger for Ben Derbyshire comes forward

A second candidate for RIBA president has thrown his hat into the ring.

Alan Jones is the first person to declare he will be running against Ben Derbyshire, the chairman of HTA Design who confirmed he was standing last month.

Belfast-based Jones is an architect and academic who was president of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects in 2012-2014. He sits on the RIBA Board and where his portfolio is education.

Jones spent 10 years working in London for Hopkins Architects and David Morley before returning to Northern Ireland in 1997 to set up his own practice.

He now divides his time between practice and teaching at Queen鈥檚 University Belfast where he has pioneered a programme called Success Through Architecture, connecting students with architects who have followed a non-traditional career path.

His nomination is backed by Patrick Lynch who said he was impressed by Jones鈥� pragmatic approach to education 鈥� which he said 鈥渃himes with the new economy鈥� 鈥� as well as by his integrity.

鈥淗e鈥檚 got an eye on the future relevance of education to the profession and a desire to open up membership to architects who have left private practice and moved to clients or local authorities,鈥� said Lynch.

鈥淗e鈥檚 not scared of looking the future in the face. He鈥檚 not hiding in academia or practice. He鈥檚 done it all 鈥� practitioner, teacher and now manager of education. I can鈥檛 think of any recent RIBA president who鈥檚 been involved at a high level in practice and academia,鈥� said Lynch.

Jones declined to comment when approached by BD because campaigning is not allowed until after nominations have closed on May 25.

Derbyshire welcomed the news saying: 鈥淚 welcome a democratic process in which a mandate might be derived by the winner.鈥�

the RIBA revised its guidance for potential candidates allowing anyone to stand.

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