RIBA appoints GP chief as new chief executive

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced the appointment of ex-senior civil servant and current chief operating officer of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP) as its new chief executive.

Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, who was recognised with an MBE for her services to general practice and ethnic minority communities in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in the summer, will pick up the role at the beginning of next year, taking over from interim chief executives Adrian Dobson and Pamela Harding.

She has previously held senior leadership positions at the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Transport and the National Audit Office.

Vaughan-Dick said she was delighted to join the organisation at “such an exciting time” and to be part of the transition to an “even more effective business”.

“In this post-pandemic and financially challenging era, the industry needs an agile and dynamic membership body to provide leadership and support on the issues that matter most to the profession and the public,” she added.

“I look forward to working with the Board, Council and the expert staff team to help deliver RIBA’s ambitious plans and ensure that RIBA members are appropriately represented, and their contributions widely recognised.”

RIBA board chair Jack Pringle said her track record in financial transformation would be “invaluable” to the organisation.

She replaces Alan Vallance who stepped down in July after six years in the role. Vallance left to become the new chief executive of the Chartered Insurance Institute.