Our people

Richard Brindley is a Chartered Architect with additional qualifications in business and project management. He has over 30 years’ experience as a practicing architect, successfully developing and leading a range of large, medium and sole-practitioner practices; including Operations Director for a multi-disciplinary design consultancy and Chief Architect for a major residential developer. He was RIBA Director of Practice then Executive Director of Professional Services at the Royal Institute of British Architects for 12 years from 2003 to 2015, responsible for RIBA’s practice policy and membership services for Chartered Architects worldwide. He is now lead Director of ‘R Brindley Consult Ltd’, an independent consultancy company providing strategic management advice and project delivery support to professional membership and educational bodies. He is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects, part-time post graduate lecturer and course director on clients, appointment contracts, professionalism and practice management at the Bartlett UCL and Architectural Association. He currently chairs the working party organising Teambuild UK and trustee of several charities including ABS. He is proud to be able to apply his overview and passionate support for the UK construction industry professions for the ABS and its welfare committee.

Mark Grzegorczyk studied architecture at the Bartlett and became a chartered architect in 1983. Mark has over 30 years experience running his own practice specializing in the residential sector and the conservation of listed buildings. He now divides his time between London and the Isle of Wight providing consultancy and advisory services. Mark became a Trustee for the Architects Benevolent Society in 2015 and was appointed Honorary Secretary in 2019.

Sangeeta is an architecture professional and works for FBM Architects on award-winning projects in the public & private sector. She is currently a volunteer at the Islington division of: Keep Our NHS Public, looking after long and short-term IT needs. She has also been a committee member at GSS UK for three years.

“I joined the ABS team as a Trustee because it gives me great satisfaction to contribute to worthwhile causes, and I believe I could add value through my diverse experiences. I enjoy meeting new people and forming meaningful connections. ” –Sangeeta

In an industry that experiences more issues with mental health than the norm, ABS’s work is vital – which is why I had to get involved! I personally suffer from anxiety, and I know how lonely, tiring and difficult that can be, so it’s really important to me to spread awareness of the charity, in particular their amazing links with Anxiety UK.

I am currently working as an Architect at Stanton Williams, where I am part of their Equality Diversity and Inclusion Group as well as a Young Trustee at the Architecture Foundation where we support emerging and less-heard voices in the industry. As an ABS ambassador am really keen to use my platform to continue this work and to support the charity in raising awareness.

I was always brought up with the saying “it’s not what happens it’s how you deal with it”. This doesn’t mean you have to deal with it alone, it’s okay to ask for help, and the ABS is always there to support you. In an industry that often celebrates individualism it’s important to remember – you are not alone. We all work in teams; everyone has their own team – be it your family, friends, or at work. We solve problems together and with the ABS on your team we can overcome any difficulties you are facing.

John has been a Trustee since 2017 after being inspired to join ABS by his dad, a Trustee for a small local charity for over 40 years, and his good friend Simon. Simon, his wife Kacka and their youngest child Amelka died in tragic circumstances some years ago. ABS stepped in and provided much-needed support for his two eldest children and their grandmother.

“I always wanted to show my gratitude to ABS by helping them support other Architects in times of need” – John.

Aled Rees is an Associate Director with over 15 years’ experience successfully developing and leading a range of project from domestic, commercial, social housing and healthcare, becoming a Chartered Architectural Technologist in 2016. He is currently the resident Chair of the Wales Region for CIAT and undertakes mentoring of future applicants and undertakes Professional Interviews as part of the Chartered application process. He also visits universities speaking to students about being in practice. He is looking forward to providing his support for ABS and moving them forward in the future.

Andy is an Architect, running a practice in Scotland. Though he had been aware of ABS, it wasn’t until he suffered an accident in 2014 that he truly appreciated the value of the support ABS provides.

“[ABS] were of great moral and financial support to myself but more importantly to my family immediately following my accident and during my recovery. It is a privilege to now be an ambassador for this fabulous society and be able to share my experience from my family’s time of need and what the ABS can offer us all” –Andy.

Kuljeet is the founding Director of Diverse Dialogues, a consultancy focused on embedding design quality, equity, and social sustainability into how we shape and deliver cities, by advising local authorities, developers, and design teams on commissioning places with social value.

Kuljeet brings over 15 years of cross-sector experience spanning architecture, urban regeneration, planning, public realm delivery, housing, and research. Her approach is shaped by lived experience, deep empathy, and a commitment to negotiating the often-complex dynamics of inclusive city-making. An advocate for gender-informed and inclusive design, she has delivered high-profile work for the Mayor of London and LLDC. She contributes strategically through her roles on Design and Quality Review Panels and is a UN Women UK CSW ’69 participant.

Kuljeet is an Associate Lecturer on the BA Architecture programme at Central Saint Martins, UAL, and through the CSM Insights Programme, supports students from underrepresented backgrounds to dismantle barriers and access sustainable creative careers.

Rick is an Architect with 20 years of experience in private practice, owner and director of Smith Scott Mullan Associates in Edinburgh. Now a trustee, Rick has been an ABS ambassador since 2018.

“This is a rewarding role. I use my time and contacts to spread the word about the work ABS does and the support available for people in our profession. It is great to give back to the industry and use my personal and professional experience to help others, delivering professional development to other practices, fundraising and participating in workshops” –Rick.

Rick was honoured to represent ABS at the Queen’s Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2019 as a guest of our Patron, His Royal Highness Duke of Gloucester.

Mark joined as a Trustee in early 2024 and was appointed Honorary Treasurer in June 2024.  Mark has a Commerce degree from the University of Queensland, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Australia and is currently a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers in the UK.  He has over 30 years’ experience in finance and risk management for both the financial services and corporate sectors.

“I bring a different background to the ABS Board of Trustees and look forward to contributing to its benevolent strategy in these challenging times.” – Mark

Robert Bedner is the Director of Cura Design an award-winning architectural practice offering biophilic design since 2012. Originally from Greenwich, Connecticut USA, Robert has spent a life in architecture from working with Sverre Fehn in Norway and Renzo Piano in Paris and the artist Vito Acconci in New York to Cura Designs ongoing residential and community projects in the UK. The practice endeavours to best serve the natural world through integrating design and architectural technology with nature for our well-being and to protect and enhance nature and biodiversity. Cura as a word can be translated in Portuguese as “the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again”. Robert has also found his way towards cultivating practices of folk and devotional singing and meditation as well as interests in traditional spiritual practices based in Brazil. Robert currently lives in Devon with his family, small dog and two cats.