October 4 2018

Robin Webster , founder of Cameronwebster Architects, is to succeed Stewart Henderson as president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland on 11 October following a members vote.

Serving for a 19-month term Webster has pledged to bring transparency to an organisation which remains subject to an ongoing investigation by the charity regulator.

Webster remarked: “I want to thank everyone who voted for me, and especially my supporters, who have challenged the status quo and argued for reform within the Incorporation. I expect that from now on we will operate a transparent organisation, fully compliant with the requirements of the byelaws and meet all good governance protocols.

“That said, the problems that face the built environment and the quality of architecture in Scotland will not go away just by reorganising our committees and procedures. It is essential that we address how we enable talent and create opportunity, how our work is valued, and how we work ethically to achieve the best possible results. I believe we have much to learn from other countries and hope to challenge the Scottish Government and local authorities regarding the quality of public architecture and construction.”

Webster was voted in using a single transferable vote system which saw him beat one challenger for the post.

21 Comments

#1 Posted by Fake News on 5 Oct 2018 at 09:18 AM

I don't think he beat five other challengers for the post!!

#2 Posted by Lies on 5 Oct 2018 at 11:09 AM

Fake News is right, there was only one other challenger and it wasn't any of those listed!

#3 Posted by kasia on 5 Oct 2018 at 11:18 AM

Apologies, the post is now updated. Thank you for your note!

#4 Posted by Inahuf on 5 Oct 2018 at 16:55 PM

Shock news, old white guy gets top position! Hardly a new RIAS....

#5 Posted by Roddy Piper on 6 Oct 2018 at 13:14 PM

@4

What's the surprise?

Scotland is 98% white and 79% of people on the ARB register are male.

Old people tend to have more knowledge and experience, so if I was a gambler I'd put money on the post going to an old white guy.

#6 Posted by The pedant on 6 Oct 2018 at 22:13 PM

#5 Dear Rodders,
Sorry to say, but I think you missed the use of irony there. Incidentally, I also felt that your first figure of 98% was wrong and so i checked it - i wonder where you got yours? A cursory check with Google puts it at 91.9% - quite a difference. Anyway - still disappointing as Inahuf puts it.

#7 Posted by Cadmonkey on 7 Oct 2018 at 12:44 PM

Well I’m quite surprised.
Current gender split RIAS Managemenr and Staff:
Women:15
Man:1
Why is that?

#8 Posted by Roddy Piper on 7 Oct 2018 at 22:14 PM

@6

Don't worry it won't be long until a 5 year old asexual gender and racially and fluid quadriplegic dolphin is RIAS president.

#9 Posted by The pedant on 8 Oct 2018 at 09:27 AM

Dear Rodders,

Sorry to point this out to you, but are you aware that what you have written constitutes an offence under the hate crime laws of this country? Just sayin. And as such, you could easily be reported to the police? Just so as you know. Remember, ignorance of the law is no defence. I wish you well.

#10 Posted by Rem Koolbag on 8 Oct 2018 at 09:59 AM

‘mon the dolphins

#11 Posted by The pedant on 8 Oct 2018 at 10:27 AM

#10 :-)

#8 - Apologies, I should have said, 'could' constitute an offence as it most certainly ain't for me to judge.

#12 Posted by JusticeOfThePeice on 9 Oct 2018 at 10:31 AM

#7, cos only women are so used to putting up with rubbish that they could stomach working under the past secretary? :) (joke)
#5, and why do you think there’s still so shockingly few women registered? Because as a woman you quickly realise the cards are stacked against you so many go get a life away from the complacency and dismissive ridicule of people with attitudes like yours, or at least don’t bother to register with RIAS as it’s seen as such and old boys club.
And yes I’m female, and an architect, who’s stuck it out through 30 years of this rubbish. Cue comments about chips on shoulders etc...

#13 Posted by The pedant on 9 Oct 2018 at 11:41 AM

#12 Well said.

#14 Posted by Roddy Piper on 13 Oct 2018 at 01:57 AM

The West seems to have developed this strange obsession with equality of outcome in the 21st century.

Everyone should have equality of opportunity, but if certain group identities are overrepresented in certain areas at the end of it, maybe it's natural.

#15 Posted by JusticeOfThePiece on 13 Oct 2018 at 13:45 PM

#14 quite so, if only the opportunity was equal!
In my time I’ve been felt up on building sites and in the office, been put on tea duties when less experienced men weren’t and despite making the management team at the age of 30 (so pretty capable) was told after taking 12 weeks maternity leave I’d have to re-establish my position and commitment to the firm - the guy who took a travel sebatical didnt have his commitment to the profession questioned the same way. I’ve only ever asked for a level playing field but sadly the old adage is still true: men are assumed to be competent until they prove different, women are assumed incapable until they show otherwise...

#16 Posted by Roddy Piper on 13 Oct 2018 at 23:53 PM

#15 I'm very sorry to hear about the problems you have had, in terms of equality of opportunity it seems there is still some progress to be made.

#17 Posted by Cadmonkey on 14 Oct 2018 at 21:05 PM

#14
The opportunity certainly is equal. A lot of what you are experiencing sounds illegal. Why are you not standard by up for yourself, and other women?
You need to assert your rights.
But this detracts from my RIAS point that has not been properly answered.
In this day and age why is it’s staff and management 93% female?
That just isn’t right.

#18 Posted by JusticeOfThePeice on 17 Oct 2018 at 16:00 PM

#17, on each occasion I did stand up , with humour or force of personality or more, and had apologies or action - and as a manager now I’ve made a different environment for my staff... why would you think expiring these things frequently means I’m letting it happen rather than there’s just too many beggars out there trying it on? This gets really wearing....

#19 Posted by Suburban realm on 17 Oct 2018 at 18:11 PM

#17 I would hazard a guess that the majority of roles at the RIAS are part time, which generally suit women who are more likely to require jobs that can be balanced with childcare. Of course, there’s no reason why mums and dads can’t share childcare equally but the reality is that it’s predominantly done by women. It’s really not that hard to work out.

#20 Posted by Cadmonkey on 18 Oct 2018 at 00:08 AM

#19 Never considered RIAS to be a predominantly part time set up, but you may have a point and why it is mainly women who fill the part time roles.
Is the elephant in the room here linked to this observation in that project architects on medium and large projects tend to require a full time commitment, and hence why males form a higher % of the profession. And perhaps as a consequence even command higher salaries. Or are you not allowed to say that?
There has to be a reason why the gender pay difference exists, other than just simply gender.

#21 Posted by JusticeOfThePeice on 18 Oct 2018 at 05:41 AM

#19 the majority of staff roles are also low prestige, largely administrative and with little opportunity to grow professionally, which we know doesn’t tend to attract guys and ends up being done by women with either fewer options or who’s priorities lie elsewhere in thier lives. The past Board (those making decisions and getting the profile) were overwhelmingly male (27to6) and the consultants (paid for professional expertise) are too. So I agree with #17 that it’s just not right, and a sad inditement on my profession.

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