Grand Opera House Hosts AGM

On Friday 26 May 2023, RSUA met at the RSUA Design Award winning Grand Opera House Belfast to hold its Annual General Meeting.

Prior to the AGM guests were invited to join Project Architect James Grieve from Consarc Design Group on a tour to view the recent conservation and refurbishment works of the building. Many thanks to James Grieve for facilitating this fantastic tour.

The AGM involved discussions surrounding the appointment of the new President-Elect as well as the outcome of the Council Elections. The outcome was as follows;

Appointment of President-elect

There was only one nomination for the post of President-elect. John Lavery will begin a one-year term as President-elect from May 2023 until May 2024. In May 2024 John will become RSUA President for a two-year term.

Outcome of Council Elections:

We extend our thanks to the following people who stood down from RSUA Council in 2023:

  • Aoife McGee
  • Neil Mathews
  • Rodney Hall

There were nine seats available on RSUA Council in 2023 for chartered members. Nine nominations were received, therefore there was no election. The following four chartered members were re-elected to Council for a three-year term:

  • Kari Simpson
  • Feargal Harron
  • Andrew O’Doherty
  • Hana Stolcova

Ciaran Brown was co-opted to Council last year for a one-year term. Ciaran has put his name forward to join RSUA Council.

Four chartered members were elected to Council for the first time:

  • Olivia Laughlin
  • Roisin McCann
  • Sarah Brady
  • Lisa Park
  • Associate Member Representative: There were no Associate Member Representative nominations this year.
  • University Representatives: Rory Caithness will remain as the Ulster University Representative for one year and Alan Jones will continue to be the Queen’s University Representative for one year.
  • Student Representatives: The QUB & UU Student Representatives will be confirmed in due course.
  • RIAI Observer: Anna Meehan will be the new RIAI Observer for one year.
  • Other co-options: These will be discussed at the first Council meeting in June 2023.