Murtaza Rizvi Named Joint Chair of RIBA South West

Murtaza Rizvi, Architect at Austin-Smith:Lord’s Bristol studio, and Camellia Kelly from O’Leary Goss Architects have recently accepted the joint role of Chair of the South West branch of the RIBA for the next year.

As part of the new role, Murtaza will play a strategic part in advancing membership experience for the region and helping to achieve set objectives for RIBA in the South West, supporting Jon Watkins who is the RIBA Regional Director of the branch.

RIBA’s South West branch hosts a calendar of events and initiatives throughout the year for its membership as well as acting as a critical voice on behalf of the profession on key agenda’s such as Bristol’s recent plans to update their supplementary planning guidance on tall buildings and building at higher densities. Alongside other commitments as a result of becoming joint Chair, Murtaza will join the RIBA Local Members Forum in Hull this June with other regional Chairs to share insights and ideas to drive forward local objectives.

Murtaza commented on his new position:

“I am delighted to be elected Co-chair for RIBA Bristol & Bath Branch for the coming year and excited to be part of such a passionate architectural community.

 Bristol is an exciting place to be with a strong cultural identity. I am looking forward to working together to increase the visibility of the RIBA, engage with key strategies and objectives and undertake initiatives though the Bristol and Bath Branch that support and represent the local community.

 Together we have the opportunity to shape our city and work with developers and institutions within the public and private sector to continue to make Bristol a wonderful place to live, work and enjoy.”

Jon Watkins, RIBA South West Regional Director commented:

“On behalf of the regional RIBA, I am delighted that Murtaza and Camellia have taken on the exciting role of chairing the RIBA Bristol & Bath branch – the largest in the South West. At such an exciting time for Bristol as the Sunday Times Best Place to live in the UK, and for the wider region through the West of England devolution deal, there is much for the RIBA to get involved with and support over the coming year.”

Congratulations, Murtaza and Camellia from the whole team at Austin-Smith:Lord.