Tuesday, March 31, 2009

RIBA president denies plan to radically restructure institute

30 March, 2009

RIBA president Sunand Prasad has denied media reports that a “faction” of senior council members has urged for a radical restructuring of the institute.




Speaking after last week’s spring council meeting in Cardiff, which was held largely behind closed doors, Prasad said no members had proposed such changes at the RIBA.

But he warned that the RIBA would have to “gear up” to examine all options available to it in light of the global downturn.

“What I would say is no one in the RIBA would [contemplate a radical restructuring],” he said.

“There is contingency planning going on… This will go on over next six months.

“There may well be trimming costs and such measures, but there will be no grand unveiling of a plan. It will be incremental and responsive”

Sunand Prasad, RIBA President

“There may well be trimming costs and such measures, but there will be no grand unveiling of a plan. It will be incremental and responsive.”

“Do you know any serious organisation that isn’t considering a range of plans at the moment? The world economic situation has fundamentally changed.”

At the end of last year the RIBA announced plans to cut expenditure by 10% and make five staff redundant.

Reports had suggested a faction of senior council members including Prasad were planning to call for the restructuring at last Thursday’s council meeting.

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