RIBA Paid £150,000 to Former President Alan Jones to Settle Legal Dispute
In a resolution to a legal matter concerning the management of personal data, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) disbursed £150,000 to its former president, Alan Jones. This payment, categorized as a "settlement agreement" in RIBA's draft financial report, finalized a prolonged dispute that was resolved in 2025. The controversy originated from allegations against Jones that surfaced in 2020, prompting a "serious incident report" to be filed with the Charity Commission. Although Jones temporarily stepped down, he resumed his position in June 2020 after an independent inquiry exonerated him. RIBA chair Jack Pringle expressed his disappointment regarding the unauthorized disclosures. Jones held the presidency from September 2019 until Simon Allford took over in 2021, followed by Muyiwa Oki and Chris Williamson.
Key facts
- RIBA paid £150,000 to former president Alan Jones to settle a legal dispute.
- The payment was listed in a draft of RIBA's annual financial report as a "settlement agreement" to an "ex-officio trustee".
- The dispute was settled in 2025 and stemmed from RIBA's handling of Jones's personal information and allegations leaked to the press in 2020.
- Jones became RIBA president in September 2019 and temporarily stepped down in early 2020 after RIBA submitted a "serious incident report" to the Charity Commission.
- Jones returned to his role in June 2020 following an independent investigation by law firm Browne Jacobson.
- RIBA chair Jack Pringle said the organisation regretted the "unauthorised leaks" and the harm caused to Jones and his family.
- Jones was succeeded by Simon Allford in 2021, followed by Muyiwa Oki and current president Chris Williamson.
- Chris Williamson recently gave up his architect title to highlight the "absurdity of the current regulatory framework" of ARB.
Entities
Artists
- Alan Jones
- Jack Pringle
- Simon Allford
- Muyiwa Oki
- Chris Williamson
Institutions
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Architect's Journal
- Charity Commission
- Browne Jacobson
- Weston Williamson + Partners
- ARB
- Dezeen
Locations
- Northern Ireland
- United Kingdom
Sources
- Dezeen —