Alan Vallance to step down as RIBA chief executive

RIBA chief executive Alan Vallance will be stepping down in July after six years in the role, the organisation has announced.

Vallance, who has held the position since February 2016, is leaving to become the new chief executive of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

He has presided over a transformation at RIBA which has seen the body recover from a dire financial position at the beginning of his tenure.

Vallance oversaw the agreement of a joint venture and then sale of RIBA’s commercial arm, RIBA Enterprises/NBS, one of the biggest transactions in its history.

He will officially leave his role on 31 July. A process to recruit his successor is already underway.

Chair of the RIBA Board of Trustees Jack Pringle said: “On behalf of the RIBA Board, our members and staff team, I would like to thank Alan for his hard work over the last six years and wish him every success in his new role.

“From Brexit to the Covid pandemic, Alan has helped the organisation and our members navigate some incredibly challenging operating conditions.

“This is an exciting time of change for the RIBA. We have the foundations in place for a much more effective organisation, and we look forward to recruiting Alan’s successor to help us further embed our transformation and deliver on our ambitious goals.”

Vallance added: “After six great years it has been a difficult decision to move on from an organisation and team I care so much about, but it is the right time for the RIBA and for myself to take this step.

“It has been a privilege and honour to represent this world-class organisation and profession at the highest levels, globally.

“My sincere thanks to everyone who I have had the pleasure of working with.

“The RIBA is an incredible organisation – a force for good thanks to its impressive network of trustees, volunteers, partners and exceptional staff – and I am proud of our many collective achievements during my time at the helm.”

Former president Ben Derbyshire said RIBA had become leaner, more focused and relevant following a transformation that “would not have been possible without the foundations [Vallance] helped set down”.

“Not everyone has the sea-legs to weather tumultuous change but I’d say Alan has brought the ship home”, Derbyshire said, adding that Vallance had “a cool head, an eye for detail and experience of major transactions”.

Vallance also sat on several panels including the Professional Business Services Council, the Creative Industries Council and the Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board.