First Female RIBA President

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.

Ruth Reed is Course Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice at the Birmingham School of Architecture and a Partner of Green Planning Solutions. She has also sat on the RIBA's Council, been Vice President of Membership, Chaired the RIBA's CPD Sub-committee and served as President of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales.

Announcing the election results, Richard Hastilow, Chief Executive of the RIBA, said:"We congratulate Ruth Reed on her success – and welcome the first female president of the RIBA. Congratulations also to Andrew Hanson on a strong result in a closely-contested election."

Speaking about her election, Ruth Reed said:

"This is a huge honour and responsibility and I am very excited about the prospect of becoming President. Andrew 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."