The Twentieth Century Society is delighted to welcome distinguished journalist and writer Catherine Slessor, MBE, as its new president.

C20 Society Director Catherine Croft said: “Catherine joins us at a time when increasing numbers of fine C20 buildings are coming under severe threat due to development pressures, a relaxation in planning laws and the demise of the high street and we welcome her contribution to helping us continue our important work to protect these buildings.”  She paid tribute to the immense contribution made by outgoing president Gillian Darley, whose expertise and enthusiasm have been invaluable.

Catherine Slessor, who was elected at the society’s AGM on Saturday 12 June, said: “As a former editor of the Architectural Review, I’m acutely aware of the significance of modern architecture in Britain, and how its proponents catalysed new and often radical ways of thinking about buildings and their relationship to society. In passionately and skilfully advocating the case for modern and contemporary architecture, the Twentieth Century Society alerts the public and officialdom, whether at local or government level, to the richness and amenity of the nation’s modern heritage, courageously calling out short-sighted decisions and championing constructive strategies of preservation and reuse. It’s an enormous privilege to become its President, following on from my distinguished predecessors Gillian Darley, Fiona MacCarthy, and Trevor Dannatt, I look forward to supporting its vital work and campaigning.”

Catherine is currently a Contributing Editor to the Architectural Review and was its Editor between 2010 and 2015. She has written for numerous publications, including the Observer, Guardian, Architects’ Journal, Icon and Dezeen. She studied architecture at the University of Edinburgh and was in private practice for a time before defecting into journalism. She also holds a Masters degree in Architectural History and Theory from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. In 2016 she was awarded an MBE for services to architectural journalism.