Alex Reid (date of birth 11.1.1941) is based in Cambridge, England. He retired in 2000 from his post as Director General of the Royal Institute of British Architects, in London. Previously he worked in venture capital, held senior positions at British Telecom, and was Chairman of the governing Council of the Royal College of Art, London.
He was educated in architecture at Cambridge University, and at University College London, where he took his PhD. His PhD work was concerned with assessing the future impact of telecommunications development on the need for travel, and on urban planning.
He is a Liberal Democrat member of Cambridgeshire County Council, and is a trustee of the Cambridge Preservation Society. He owns and edits two websites: Abacus Construction Index and Beesker. Abacus Construction Index, at www.construction-index.com, is a directory of recommended websites relevant to the US and UK construction industries. Beesker, at www.beesker.com, awards recognition to the world's best website on each of several hundred topics.