Council architect gets unanimous backing to be RIAS president

IAIN Connelly of Fife Council is to be the new face of the architectural profession in Scotland.

The council of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) voted unanimously for Connelly to succeed Sholto Humphries as president. He will take up the position at the RIAS International Convention in Strathpeffer in May.
After qualifying from Edinburgh College of Art Connelly joined Sir Frank Mears & Partners in 1978 and moved to Dunfermline practice Terrance Oliver Architects in 1979 to work on private residential, industrial and commercial projects.
He joined Dunfermline District Council in 1983, progressing to principal architect, and in 1996 Iain was promoted to area manager for Fife Council, moving to Kirkcaldy and assuming responsibility for a large, multi-discipline practice. In 2002 he became head of property services with more than 200 professional and support staff. Current projects include the £19m Carnegie Centre refurbishment, Dunfermline High School (£40m) and Auchmuty High School, Glenrothes (£32m).
Sholto Humphries commented: “Iain Connelly has made a very significant contribution to the RIAS, particularly our Government liaison and lobby over the last few years. His role in local government gives him a very acute understanding of many of the issues of most concern to architects at present, including de-skilling and procurement.”