Distressing news this week about the continued tribulations at the AA. I don’t know the school very well, and I certainly don’t know the personalities involved, but reading between the lines of the stories here on Building Design it seems clear that the very passionate and polarised views held by the different groups involved are not able to be solved by the traditional route of good leadership. Indeed, it’s the very leadership of that organisation that is, itself, suffering the biggest fall-out.

Then we have the RIBA and the election for a new president. I’ve always thought it’s somewhat of a poisoned chalice, that one. It’s a prestigious role, fought for with published manifestos and public hustings, that in truth is not very powerful and doesn’t offer the victor any real time to make significant change. Talking to any number of past presidents you will hear the same complaints about bureaucracy, inertia and vested interests that don’t like change. I’m certain that the enthusiastic promises made by every eager presidential hopeful are more often than not met with supportive but fatalistic “good luck with that” responses from friends and colleagues.

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