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RIAS - Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

RIAS - News 21 Dec 2007 The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Baxter as its new Secretary. Neil is Principal of Neil Baxter Associates (NBA), a successful specialist architectural and interpretation consultancy with extensive experience in exhibitions, publications, architectural competitions and promotion. His involvement in the Dynamic Place Awards has helped maintain the profile of architecture and the environment in Scotland. Prior to forming NBA, he was employed by the RIAS as Assistant Secretary with specific responsibility for promoting the services and capabilities of Scotland's architects. Neil also served as a part-time tutor in architectural history at the Mackintosh School of Architecture. He is also well known as the author of several books on history and architecture. Neil is a passionate advocate for Scottish architecture and a regular spokesman on architecture, art and the environment on television and radio. Commenting on the appointment, RIAS President Arnie Dunn said “We are delighted to welcome Neil to the Incorporation at this exciting time. His experience and knowledge of the architectural profession in Scotland is unique. We are confident that he will be a strong and innovative leader for our executive team and will be instrumental in promoting both architecture and Scottish architects to a much wider audience”. On his appointment Neil commented “The Royal Incorporation is the only wholly autonomous body within Scotland representing the interests of the architectural profession and promoting the quality of our national architecture. It is a key voice in influencing attitudes and improving Scotland’s built environment. The Incorporation is a venerable institution with a rich history, it is also a pro-active, member-led body. I greatly look forward to working with the superb RIAS staff and membership”. Neil Baxter will take up his appointment in April 2008 but in the meantime will be working with the RIAS Council to further the Incorporation’s goals. RIAS - News Nov 2007 The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, the professional body for Chartered Architects in Scotland is seeking to recruit dynamic individuals to deliver a range of policy and support services. SECRETARY : Salary £50-£55k The Secretary will be responsible to the Council for implementing strategic policy of the Incorporation as well as developing the Organisation as the leading provider of support services to architects in Scotland. This will be a high profile role working with senior members to promote the profession and influence policy-makers. Knowledge of the architectural or built environment sector in Scotland would be beneficial and you will have experience of managing change and development through strong inter-personal skills. COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS MANAGER : Salary £25- £30k The postholder will be responsible for delivering a range of projects to RIAS members, external stakeholders and the public, including architecture awards, events, production of communications and media relations. Candidates should have a strong background in events management and PR. EDUCATION & RESEARCH MANAGER : Salary £25 –30k The postholder will be responsible for developing the Incorporation’s profile and policy in relation to the education of Architects in Scotland as well as leading the research links between education and practice. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the development of CPD for practitioners. Experience within architecture or architectural education would be beneficial. MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT (part time) : Salary circa £18k ( pro rata) The postholder will support the department in particular dealing with member enquiries, processing of subscriptions and data management. Candidates should have excellent attention to detail and a strong customer service focus. Please see the vacancies section of RIAS website for further details: www.rias.org.uk Closing date for applications : 16 November 2007 To receive an information pack, please contact Maureen Goodfellow, Director of Administration, RIAS, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE email :mgoodfellow@rias.org.uk RIAS - News Aug 2007 Application by RIAS & BRE to Scottish Executive to establish a RIAS Certification of Design Scheme receives ministerial approval RIAS - News Jun 2007 With Mary Wrenn leaving the RIAS, Maureen Goodfellow, current Depute Chief Executive, will become Acting Chief Executive RIAS Chief Exec departs - News Jun 2007 Mary Wrenn will leave her post as Chief Executive of the Incorporation in August after more than two years in the post RIAS PR re Chief Executive departure 25 Jun 2007 The RIAS announced last week that Mary Wrenn has resigned as Chief Executive of the Incorporation and will leave in August after more than two years in the post. Mary said she was pleased to have been a “catalyst for change” in the RIAS, taking the lead in creating a new corporate identity, developing a 5-year Strategic Plan and consolidating the RIAS’s financial position. An Honorary Fellow of the RIBA and former Director of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, Mary commented: “In my appointment the RIAS recognised the need to modernise both its internal procedures and its external profile. I am pleased to have played a key role in the first stages of this transformation. For personal reasons I feel that I cannot commit to the length of time required to steering the next phase of change for the RIAS, and it is for this reason that I have decided to hand on the baton at this stage. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those members and staff colleagues who have worked with me in facing the sometimes testing challenge of bringing about necessary change at the RIAS  -- and to say how much I have enjoyed getting to know better Scotland’s rich built heritage and creative contemporary architectural culture.  The practice environment presents many challenges, ranging from the retention of Scottish talent and building an internationally recognised design profile, to the battles over procurement methods and the need to create truly sustainable communities." The incoming RIAS President, Arnie Dunn, of Edinburgh practice Campbell + Arnott, said: “We are sorry to be losing Mary. She has successfully led the Incorporation through a crucial phase in its development by setting the RIAS on the path to longer-term governance reform. She has re-introduced the competitions unit and taken the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award to new heights. Her dedication to developing the RIAS staff team has been particularly welcome.” Since Mary Wrenn's arrival there has been a fast turnaround of staff, including the Director of Communications, John Pelan leaving and not replaced, departure of Brian Moore who oversaw RIAS Competitions and various Client-side issues, Chief Exec PA Lena Smith and Events Co-ordinator, Janice Collins and not replaced. Inevitably there will now follow discussion about who should and who might replace Mary Wrenn when she has left. Views welcome at infio@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk RIAS : Edinburgh New Town RIAS News - 2006 New Director of Practice: Andrew Leslie, chartered architect with 25 years' experience, former principal of Bamber Gray Architects, recently Head of Construction at C-MIST, based at Heriot-Watt University Research Park Working with Mr Leslie on a part-time basis is Grant Gordon, a chartered architect with Gordon + Latimer, who is acting as project manager taking forward RIAS's proposals to become an SBSA scheme provider for the Certification of Design of small domestic projects Research Officer: Dr Soledad Garcia Ferrari, PhD from Edinburgh College of Art, studied Architecture & Urbanism in Montevideo until 2001. Her role at RIAS incorporates collecting information on practice-based research, a project on healthy workplaces based on a seminar and publication, and the creation of a Knowledge Group bringing together the key organisations involved in architectural research. Dedicated secretary to Presidents' Policy Committee & Council: Samantha Toon, qualified as a chartered company secretary with several years' experience in the financial sector, she will also be developing new projects within RIAS. Director of Client Services: William Wood joined in June. As well as developing the RIAS Consultancy role, he has an expanded brief including the revival of the RIAS competitions unit. Following an initial training in architecture at Edinburgh College of Art, William has pursued most of his career in the armed forces, gaining an MBA along the way. Oct06 Edinburgh : back to index RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Edinburgh News welcome: info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk RIAS : Rutland Square