Chris Williamson elected RIBA President (2025-2027)

The role of RIBA President was established in 1835. Presidents are directly elected by the RIBA membership to chair RIBA Council, the representative body, and to sit on the RIBA Board of Trustees.

Chris Williamson is a chartered architect, holding an MSc in Project Management. Chris also gained an MA in Urban Design in 1995 and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Chris has held RIBA several roles. In 1999-2001 he was Chair of the Architecture Centre and then the Ambassador for Business Skills 2015-2017. More recently he was Vice President International 2017-2019, responsible for setting a strategy to grow into a global membership institution and to encourage more UK architects to seek work globally.

Chris Williamson stood for election as RIBA President, alongside Funmbi Adeagbo and Duncan Baker-Brown.

Speaking today, Chris Williamson, said: “I am delighted to be elected RIBA President and would like to thank all those that nominated me, supported me and voted for me. One of the most gratifying aspects is that my support came from all aspects of our wonderful profession - including RIBA Stirling Prize winners, large practices, sole practitioners, young architects and students. Also, those passionate about their own specialisms within the industry whether that be academia, conservation and heritage, sustainability, commercial, residential, volume housing or intricate re-use. I will try my best to represent all views in order to communicate to politicians and decision makers what amazing specialisms we have and how they can be involved to establish policy and tackle global issues.

“I would like to thank Funmbi and Duncan for the opportunity to debate with them. I hadn’t met either until a few weeks ago and we agreed on so many aims but differed on how they could be achieved. I will continue to champion social mobility, inclusion and diversity in the profession and beyond and take action to combat climate change. The debates have been conducted respectfully and with civility - something that is rare in other elections. Thank you.

“My whole career has involved collaboration and bringing all stakeholders together. Whether small community projects like Ilkon Arts in Derbyshire or large infrastructure like the Paddington Elizabeth Line station or London Bridge Jubilee Line station. I now face another big opportunity to do the same at the RIBA in these challenging times but I am excited and enthusiastic to get started. In my career I owe the RIBA so much since being selected with Andrew Weston in the 1985 ‘40 under 40’ exhibition and winning RIBA administered competitions. I want to help a new generation of architects by creating the conditions to thrive which I believe will benefit the whole profession.”