The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has revealed its secretary and treasurer, Neil Baxter, is to step down.

RIAS said it agreed to a request from Mr Baxter to leave the organisation on Friday, 17 November.

In a statement, the organisation said: "The Royal Incorporation has agreed to the request from our Secretary, Neil Baxter Hon FRIAS Hon FRIBA, to leave the organisation after ten years of service.

"Neil will be standing down as of today (17 November) and the senior management team at the RIAS will continue to deal with all matters relating to the business of the Incorporation."


The move comes days after a group made up of 150 Scottish architects signed an open letter calling for the organisation to reform due to its "lack of effectiveness, poor governance and insufficient financial accountability".

Calling itself 'A New Chapter', members including leading figures such as Malcolm Fraser, Jude Barber, Robin Livingstone and Robin Sutherland listed a number of concerns it had with RIAS, stating the organisation had become increasingly "secretive and autocratic".

In response to Mr Baxter leaving the RIAS, a spokeswoman for 'A New Chapter' said: "Today's Special Announcement from the RIAS confirming Neil Baxter's resignation as Secretary and Treasurer raises more questions than answers.

"We now look to our president and representatives on the RIAS council to answer our ongoing questions and now, to clarify why the secretary and treasurer has tendered a sudden resignation."

(LM/MH)