This news item is from the Bartlett School of Architecture
Bartlett alumna Jay Morton has been elected as the next President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), becoming one of the profession’s most influential voices as she prepares to lead the UK’s largest architectural body.
Jay, who studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture between 2005 and 2011, will take up the role of RIBA President-Elect on 1 September 2026 before beginning her two-year term as President on 1 September 2027, succeeding Chris Williamson.
Now a director at Bell Phillips Architects, Jay has built a career focused on housing, regeneration and masterplanning, alongside a longstanding commitment to improving equality and access within the profession. She also hosts the Architects for Change podcast and serves on the steering group for Architects’ Action for Affordable Housing.
Speaking after the election, Jay said:
It is an absolute honour to be elected President-elect of the RIBA. I want to thank everyone who engaged with the campaign, and to all who voted. I want to reach out and collaborate with all of you, from small practice to large organisation, across the UK and globally. We have an amazing network, and together we can raise our profile, increase our agency, and share the value of our truly wonderful profession.
Jay is the latest Bartlett alumna to take on one of the most prominent leadership roles in architecture. Established in 1835, the RIBA presidency is responsible for chairing the RIBA Council and serving on the RIBA Board of Trustees, representing the interests of architects across the UK and internationally. Jay will become the institution’s 82nd elected President.