微密圈

Ruth Reed is to become the first female president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The Birmingham-based teacher and architect has been elected ahead of her sole opponent, RIBA London chair Andrew Hanson. She will become president elect from 1 September, and will succeed incumbent Sunand Prasad in 2009.

Reed: "

Reed is a former president of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales and a course director at the Birmingham School of Architecture. During the campaign, she has been a vocal supporter of greater power being given to the different regions of the RIBA, and has run into controversy for comments on the 鈥渃entralised鈥� nature of the institute.

In her manifesto, she pledged to take action to improve the planning system, improve architectural education and communicate better with RIBA members.

Reed said: 鈥淭his is a huge honour and responsibility, and I am very excited about the prospect of becoming president.

鈥淎ndrew was a great opponent and we had a constructive debate about the future of the profession with the membership. I am looking forward to working with Sunand, I have great respect for him.鈥�