HPA Director Richard Woolridge Elected as RIBA North West Chair-Elect
Richard Wooldridge, Director at HPA Chartered Architects, has been elected as RIBA North West Chair-Elect. He will become RIBA North West Chair in September 2021.
“I’m really honoured and excited to be taking over as RIBA North West Chair later this year.” Richard said earlier this week.
“The North-West is an important and diverse and region with such a rich heritage, which contains over 2500 RIBA Chartered Members and 6 schools of Architecture.
It’s a really interesting time to take over as Chair of the Regional Council, as there are major changes on the horizon for the construction industry. 2021 is set to deliver The Building Safety Bill and changes to the Architects Act. There are also major changes this year to the Building Regulations which will move us closer to net zero carbon buildings.
On the Planning front there is the next stage of the Government’s Planning Reform process and ongoing revisions to the NPPF. As well as all the above, there is the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which is changing the way the profession works and interacts.
Architects hold a key role in improving the Built Environment and designing sustainable buildings. As a result, we must embrace these changes.’
Richard brings a great deal of experience to the role having practised as a Chartered Architect for over 20 years. He has been a Director at HPA Chartered Architects since 2005, and is currently a member of the RIBA National Council.