Women in Architecture

Lisa Raynes

Raynes Architecture; Pride Road Architects. Founder of Manchester Curious

Lisa is an award-winning Architect and Chair of the RIBA North West Solo Practitioners Group and Past Chair of Women in Property North West Branch.

After a decade of professional experience in a larger practice environment, in 2009 Lisa decided that it was time to strike out on her own. With the recession hitting the industry pretty hard at that time, she'd freely admit this was out of necessity more than anything else - but would probably add that it turned out to be the best possible thing that could have happened.

Having established Lisa Raynes Architecture in the years that followed, Lisa was able to carve out a meaningful architectural career that also allowed her to balance her family life.

As an active Council Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects Lisa is not only passionate about architecture, but uses her considerable professional experience and national acclaim as a platform to make the industry a better place for women.

She also runs a number of associated architectural calendar events, founding the regionally-focussed Manchester Curious in 2015.

Val Garret

Joint Chair, Manchester Women's Design Group

Val has been working on equality issues for over 25 years and is currently Joint Chair of Manchester Women's Design Group. As an HR professional (Fellow CIPD) and Director of North West Housing Association (Calico) she was previously responsible for developing the culture of the organisation, successfully encouraging women into senior positions to make up 62% of all managerial roles.

As Chair of the Equality and Diversity Forum, real progress was made in raising awareness and the response to disability access, adaptations and design issues for staff and customers.

Val is passionate about people and ensuring parity in the provision of services both at home and in the workplace, continuing this commitment through her work as a coach and trainer.

Joan Rutherford MRTPI

Joint Chair, Manchester Women's Design Group

Joan first studied architecture at the University of Sheffield before going on to become the first student on J.R. 'Jimmy' James's groundbreaking Town and Regional Planning course at Sheffield.

Subsequently, Joan has worked as a planner in Sheffield, Barbados, Salford and Manchester where, for seven years, she managed Manchester City Council's Access Team. 

Joan is currently a member of two voluntary organisations campaigning to improve access for disabled people, is a member of Manchester's Age Friendly Design Group and of Transport for Greater Manchester's Disability Design Reference Group, and Joint Chair of Manchester Women's Design Group.

Joan is committed to the concept of Designing for Equality.

Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga, FRGS, FRICS

University of Huddersfield

Dilanthi is a Professor of Disaster Risk Management at the University of Huddersfield, with 27 years of experience in the higher education sector. She is a leading expert in disaster resilience with an international reputation.

Dilanthi first studied at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, before obtaining her Doctorate at the University of Salford, where she  was appointed Professor in 2006.

Her work focuses on the urgent and critical need to anticipate, plan for and reduce disaster risk in order to more effectively protect people, communities and countries. Women are more likely to be disproportionately affected by any such disasters. Hence, the empowerment of women is a critical ingredient in building disaster resilience.

Central to Dilanthi's work is undertaking research and advocating for a stronger engagement and empowerment of women. Her current portfolio of work in this area is built on the work she has been leading since 2003 on 'Women in Construction' and 'Constructing Women Leaders' initiatives.

Among several other leadership roles, she is the chair of the United Nations Working Group on Construction Policy and Practice and is one of the two formally appointed UK-based Advocates of the UN on making cities resilient to disasters.

Her networks and partnerships enable her to play a leading role in shaping the built and human environment towards sustainable futures. Dilanthi's full profile can be read at: www.dilanthi.amaratunga.net 

Jane Duncan

President, RIBA

Jane, who is President of the RIBA 2015-17, is also the RIBA's Equality and Diversity Champion, and was previously Chair of the RIBA Small Practice Committee.

After graduating from UCL, Jane worked in a variety of small, medium and large practices before setting-up her own practice, Jane Duncan Architects, now based in Amersham.

Jane's own Hempcrete eco-house was a finalist in the 2010 Grand Design Awards and her practice has won numerous other awards.

As well as her many professional and RIBA roles, Jane also lists 'acting, directing and salsa dancing' amongst her favourite activities.