Reed is the 73rd RIBA President , a position previously held by Sir G. Gilbert Scott and Sir Basil Spence among others. She takes over the two-year elected presidency from Sunand Prasad, who becomes RIBA Immediate Past President.

Reed is currently course director and design tutor at the Birmingham School of Architecture, she is also a partner of planning consultancy, Green Planning Solutions. 

Speaking on her appointment she said: "There is no doubt that the state of the architectural profession today is very different to that of two years ago; the economic recession has affected each and every practice and practictioner regardless of their size or geographic location.

One of my key priorities as RIBA President is to ensure that the Institute continues to fully support and promote the profession, and work through this difficult time. I will be working with members across the country on sharing best practice, in order that we retain our world class profession and emerge stronger to meet the challenges of the new economic climate.

"In becoming the first female president of the RIBA, I am proud to be part of a change within the profession to recognise and encourage the skills and careers of women in the sector; I hope that by example I will encourage more women to remain in architecture."