Libby Heathcote named next president of RIAS

Her two-year term will begin once she is installed at the RIAS Annual General Meeting on 24 June. 

Libby Heathcote is an associate director at Reiach and Hall Architects, where she has worked for 26 years since completing her studies in 1999. Libby has delivered, from inception to completion, a series of University buildings, both newbuild and retrofit/refurbishment, alongside numerous other building types, from highly specialist court buildings to cultural and heritage centres and museums.

In addition to practicing architecture, she has lectured on professional practice and procurement for 20 years at the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, where she was also a board member. She also represents the RIAS on the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative – a Scottish-based campaign for improving construction quality.

Libby was elected unopposed, having been nominated by architects representing a broad cross-section of established and emerging practices across Scotland. As RIAS president, she will act as a figurehead for the architectural profession in Scotland, leading the strategic direction of the RIAS and representing the organisation and the profession to partner organisations, government, stakeholders and the public.

Her election comes at a critical time for architecture in Scotland; she will assume office soon after the formation of a new Scottish Government following the Scottish Parliament elections, and will act as a voice for Scottish architects on a number of critical issues including public procurement reform and support for smaller practices.

Libby Heathcote said: “It is an honour to become the next president of the RIAS. My role will be to engage, advocate, promote and defend the architecture profession in Scotland, and to highlight the invaluable impact of architecture on society wherever possible.

“I want to support RIAS members in working together, to talk proudly and confidently about what we do, and to demonstrate our vital contribution to the built environment and society.

“Karen Anderson has used her time as RIAS president extremely well. She has highlighted the importance of, and strengthened the connection between, education and practice. She has helped put in place the infrastructure to address the big issues facing architecture and architects in Scotland including the over-stretched planning system, procurement reform and building safety.

“In establishing the RIAS Praxis Group and member online Basecamps RIAS is focussed on ensuring direct access to member experience and concerns is used to inform the work of RIAS and build the strength of its voice in the built environment in Scotland.

“I am committed to building on Karen’s work and look forward to working with the excellent team at the RIAS, alongside its members, during these challenging times. By harnessing the membership’s proactive and solutions-focused approach, we can identify opportunities for positive change within the profession.”