The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has elected Ben Derbyshire as its next President.

Derbyshire will take over from incumbent President Jane Duncan at the start of September next year for a two year presidential term, which means that he will be the official RIBA President-Elect from the start of next month.

RIBA established a President position in 1835 which has previously been held by renowned architects such as Sir Basil Spence, Alfred Waterhouse and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

Derbyshire is currently chair of HTA Design LLP, which is a 150 strong multi-disciplinary practice based primarily in Edinburgh and London. He has been a partner of the company since 1987.

He also holds several other board positions, including at RIBA Enterprises, Design for Homes and he is also a trustee of The London Society.

Speaking on his appointment, Derbyshire said that he is conscious of the great responsibility he will have to architects both in the UK and overseas as President of RIBA during such a turbulent time for the industry.

Derbyshire added: “Jane Duncan has laid the foundations for change at the RIBA that I look forward to driving forward, when I take up the role of President.

“My primary goal is to champion architects so that they, our sister professions and clients, can advance architecture as the cornerstone of the well-designed and more sustainable built environment society desperately needs.”

He believes that RIBA needs to work for all architects regardless of how and where they practice.

Meanwhile, the current President of RIBA, Duncan congratulated Derbyshire on his successful election.

She added that during her final year of Presidency, she will play her part in implementing RIBA’s new five year strategy which distilled the collective views of the group’s members, while she is also going to make sure that the profession retains its strong voice.