AD appoints new team of Next Gen Ambassadors

We were really excited to get such a positive response to our recent call out for Next-Gen Ambassador applications. Such a response in fact, that we are appointing no less than EIGHT ambassadors to form a team of volunteers alongside our Steering Group.

We welcome:

• Ayaan Syed
• Ayub Abdulkadir
• Daisy Shum
• Eimear Kernan
• Olaoluwakitan Olabiyi
• Riya Shah
• Rory Thomas
• Xan Xacobo Goetzee-Barral

Building on our initial Student Ambassador scheme - brilliantly delivered by Amy Thompson and Anushka Gupta - our Next-Gen Ambassadors will:

• Develop our thinking on topics relevant to their studies or current work and future career;
• Help us build the capacity of new and future architects through our programme;
• Generate new insights and knowledge at the forefront of regenerative design and other priorities for our sector.

AD Steering Group member Alasdair Ben Dixon says: “We’ve always known that sharing knowledge across our industry is essential to increasing collective action, and reducing our negative impacts. New voices are essential to that, as they ensure we’re addressing the right issues, and supporting the latest ideas. That’s why we’re excited to be appointing these 8 talented individuals to build on the success of last year’s excellent ambassadors.

"Want to arrange a meeting with our new ambassadors or discuss your practice's journey? Don't hesitate to get in touch!”

Fellow AD Steering Group member Laura Baron, who - along with Alasdair - will act as initial point of support for the new volunteers, says: “We’re thrilled to welcome our new Next-Gen Ambassadors to the Architects Declare family. By bringing together these energetic and engaged individuals, we aim to platform fresh thinking, diverse voices, and future-focused leadership. We strongly believe that empowering the next generation to help shape decisions today will accelerate innovation, challenge outdated practices, and support the creation of places designed for the world that’s coming, not the one we’re leaving behind.”

Watch this space for updates on their progress!

We also thank everyone else who applied for this new role with AD: it was a strong field of candidates, demonstrating the commitment to the principles UK Architects Declare are building on in our programme and partnerships.