Scotland’s professional body for chartered architects on hunt for chief executive

Scotland’s professional body for chartered architects has created a chief executive role.

RIAS president Christina Gaiger, who was elected last year, announced the creation of the new post. Picture: Angus Bremner

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) said the post was designed to support the profession at a time of “significant change” and would be in Edinburgh at the organisation’s headquarters.

The move forms part of a programme of change that was signalled in the organisation’s five-year strategy, “Creating Space for Inspiring Conversations”, which was launched in 2019.

The recruitment process for a chief executive kicks off with immediate effect.

RIAS president Christina Gaiger, who was elected last year, said: “There has never been a more challenging time for our members. However, it is also a time of enormous opportunity to collaborate, upskill and explore new technologies that will help us to play our role in addressing the biggest challenge of our time – the climate emergency.

“Our members are influencing change across the country through their work with national and local government, businesses and communities.

“We are determined that they should have a chief executive who can help to ensure that their voices are heard and that we are able to use our skills and experience to transform the built environment and support Scotland’s low carbon targets.”

The chief executive will lead a team of 15, providing a wide range of services for architects, students of architecture, construction industry professionals and all those with an interest in architecture, design and the built environment. The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland was founded in 1916 as the professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland.

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