London-based architect Simon Allford has been elected as the new president of the Royal British Institute of Architects (RIBA). Allford is a founding principal of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris architects, winners of the 2015 Stirling Prize.

According to RIBA, Allford won some 58% of the vote in a landmark election that allowed participation of RIBA's full membership, including students. Despite this wide enfranchisement, however, voter turn out was only 13.2%. Allford beat out four other candidates—Sumita Singha, Valeria Passetti, Nick Moss, and Jude Barber—for the institute's top spot. Starting September 1, Allford will be RIBA's President-elect; He is scheduled to assume the presidency in September 2021.

A statement from Allford published by RIBA is included below: 

It is a privilege to have been elected and I look forward to working with members, Council, Board and staff to create a leaner, more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated RIBA.

We need an institute of ideas with architecture front and centre, hosting debates, lectures and exhibitions reflecting changing cultural and practice contexts. We need an institute that celebrates and promotes members’ work at home and worldwide. We need an institute that is a practice friend, enabling members to share ideas about best ways of working, using today’s technology to help advance architecture for the benefit of society – our Charter obligation.

I am committed to the ‘House of Architecture @ RIBA’, an online and physical entity capable of forming alliances with clients, consultants and contractors to influence government over procurement and education, while also helping us to address global climate change and architecture’s pivotal role in a post-pandemic world.