RIBA announces Honorary Fellows 2023

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced 12 new RIBA Honorary Fellows.

RIBA Honorary Fellowships are awarded every year to non-architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture.

RIBA President, Simon Allford said: “This year’s Honorary Fellows represent many professions, ranging from engineering to public relations.

“They are distinguished and connected by the fact that they have all demonstrated an exceptional dedication to bringing about positive change in architecture and the wider collective industry. I would like to extend my congratulations and I am delighted to welcome them to RIBA.”

The 12 new Honorary Fellows are:

Michael Burton, Environmental Engineering Director

Environmental Engineering Director, Michael Burton, leads AECOM’s building engineering team delivering major UK and international projects known for high standards in sustainability and architectural quality. Dedicated particularly to improving the industry, he volunteers as a mentor, and has been awarded for supporting women working within construction and engineering.

Nigel Coates Academic, Educator and Designer

Nigel Coates has been at the forefront of architectural discourse for over 40 years. Through teaching at the Architectural Association, Royal College of Art and the London School of Architecture, which he helped establish, he has influenced generations of students - always championing individuality and diversity in architecture. He is a leading voice for LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and recently published his biography with RIBA Books.

Fiona Cobb, Structural Engineer
As author of the popular ‘The Structural Engineers Pocket Book’, structural engineer Fiona Cobb shares practical knowledge in an accessible way. Committed to environmental sustainability and historic conservation in her own practice, she supports and mentors women-led practices, promoting the recognition and visibility of underrepresented engineers.

Gillian Darley Writer, Broadcaster and Biographer

As a writer, broadcaster and biographer, Gillian Darley is one of the UK’s leading advocates for the built environment. She has authored books on architecture across a significant span, and is a former President of the Twentieth Century Society and a former Chair of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Professor Charles Egbu, Quantity Surveyor and Academic

Quantity Surveyor and academic Professor Charles Egbu has been a leader in higher education for over 25 years. Currently Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, he is one of the first Black university vice-chancellors in the UK. He is committed to diversifying the sector, developing apprenticeship programmes and championing initiatives to raise awareness on mental health issues in the construction industry.

Matt Gibberd, Co-founder of The Modern House
Before co-founding The Modern House (2005) and Inigo (2021), Matt Gibberd worked as a writer and editor at The World of Interiors. His latest book, A Modern Way to Live, focuses on the principles that define good domestic design: space, light, nature, materials, and decoration. Matt has contributed to publications including The Telegraph, House & Garden and Elle Decoration and has been a judge for the Dezeen Awards.

Albert Hill, Co-founder of The Modern House

Before co-founding The Modern House (2005) and Inigo (2021), Albert Hill worked as the Design Editor at Wallpaper*. Throughout his career he has written for major newspapers, including The Guardian, The Times and The Independent, contributed to books and spoken about architecture and design on television and radio.

Dame Judith Hackitt, Engineer and Public Servant
Engineer, public servant and former Chairperson of the Health and Safety Executive Dame Judith Hackitt has contributed to the future safe delivery of buildings in the UK. Her review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, commissioned after the Grenfell tragedy, provides clear recommendations on how to restructure our Building Codes to create a safer construction environment.

Carolyn Larkin, Architecture Public Relations Expert

Public Relations agent Carolyn Larkin is a highly respected industry voice, offering architects valuable guidance, direction, counsel, and connections. Working to make architecture a more inclusive place, she supports emerging talent and champions the environmental agenda and access to education and has played a significant role in launching key events on the architecture calendar.

Akil Scafe-Smith and Seth Scafe-Smith, RESOLVE
Interdisciplinary design collective RESOLVE presents an alternative model of practice, combining architecture, engineering, technology and art to address social challenges. Founded in 2016, the collective delivers projects, workshops, publications and talks, working with local communities to engage marginalised young people and children to co-design better built environments.

Jonathan Stock, Architectural Publisher and Media Expert
As the publisher of Architects’ Journal, The Architectural Review, the RIBA Journal and now Architecture Today, Jonathan Stock has an impressive record as an architectural publisher working across print, online and events. Widely respected across the industry, he offers advice to practices regarding challenges and opportunities in relation to their media relationships.

The 2023 RIBA Honorary Fellowships will be presented at a special event at RIBA in London this April.

See the full list of RIBA Honorary Fellows.