A&DS Chair resignation
Ann Allen resignation from A&DS Board
(31 October) Earlier this month Ann Allen resigned from her position as Chair of our board and her resignation has been accepted by the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
Ann was appointed as Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland in 2018. Since then, we have benefitted from her quiet, calm, and clear leadership, her belief in what we stand for, and her passion for promoting the benefits of well-designed, user-centred buildings.
Speaking in response to the announcement, Jim MacDonald, Architecture and Design Scotland’s Chief Executive, said “On behalf of the board and staff I wish Ann and her family well and thank her from the bottom of our hearts for everything she has done to support and guide our work over these past seven years. On a personal level, I am immensely grateful for her wise counsel and unstinting support throughout a period of significant change.”
Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:
“Ann is highly regarded for her knowledge and experience of the built environment and public sector governance. As Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) she has had an invaluable role in supporting and developing the capacity and impact of the organisation as an effective part of Scotland’s public sector infrastructure, and most recently, in supporting for the review of A&DS and leadership of the emerging programme of significant reform.
“On behalf of Scottish Ministers, I pass on our sincere gratitude for her leadership of A&DS and the significant contribution she has made in service of Scotland’s public and architecture and design sectors.”
Recruitment for a new Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland will begin in the near future, ahead of an expected appointment in May 2026. In the meantime, A&DS Deputy Chair Kirsty Macari will undertake the duties of Chair.