Ivett will join the mould-breaking ‘earn as you learn’ school – which entered into a ‘strategic merger’ earlier this year with Reading-based University College of Estate Management (UCEM) – on 17 November. The UCEM subsequently rebranded as the University of the Built Environment (UBE).
Founder of design studio Baxendale, Ivett, 44, is currently the head of the Grenfell-Baines Institute of Architecture at the University of Lancashire.
The architect, who is also the academic lead for the architecture and construction subject areas, has been at the Preston-based university for almost seven years.
The LSA’s former head and chief executive, Shasore, left the school in February, although the exact reasons for Shasore’s decision to step down have never been made public.
According to the LSA, his replacement Ivett will ‘champion an inclusive and innovative approach to education’. The school said he was committed ‘to strengthening connections between academia and practice’ and preparing students for ‘society’s most urgent social, environmental and industry challenges’.
Part of Ivett’s role will be to ‘proactively’ respond to the ongoing, ARB-led educational reforms and help the wider UBE to create ‘faster, more equitable pathways’ into practice.
He said: ‘The LSA has always stood for access, innovation and impact. I’m looking to build on its mission, ensuring our students not only thrive, but lead the changes our industry and society urgently need.
‘The built environment has a fundamental role to play in tackling poverty, addressing climate change, improving health and shaping a fairer future.’
Ashley Wheaton, vice-chancellor of the UBE, said that Ivett’s appointment marked ‘an important milestone for the institution and our new school’.
He added: ‘Together, we are building a forward-looking, inclusive model of education that prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to communities, industry, and society.’
Ivett’s predecessor Shasore joined the LSA as a tutor in design history in 2019. He was appointed to the head role two years later in June 2021.
Shasore led the school’s move to its current premises at 4 Beechwood Road, Dalston, a former church hall and parish institute building, and developed the school’s collection of books and periodicals through generous donations from LSA supporters.
A few months before the LSA’s merger with the UBE (then the UCEM), the school had parted ways with its long-term validator, the University of Liverpool.
As a result, the LSA had temporarily stopped accepting applications for the academic year beginning this September – though these were later restarted in May once the school had become part of the UBE.
Around 30 students are expected to join the LSA next month when the new course starts on 8 September.
Following Shasore’s departure the school had put in place an interim leadership team made up of registrar Ben Adofo, Part 2 course leader Ruth Lang and operations manager Lily Wilkinson.
Neal Shasore