New faces at the AoU this spring
Welcome to new Board and staff
This spring we are delighted to welcome two new non-exec Directors to the AoU Board, and a new member of staff covering the Membership Coordinator role while Roshni goes on maternity leave.
You'll have opportunities to meet our new faces in Utrecht this June for Congress 2025, and elsewhere throughout our in-person and digital programming.
Bios for all our team and other collaborators can be found at theaou.org/people
New Board Directors
Siddiqa Islam
Siddiqa is a director of major built environment projects and is dedicated in delivering homes, infrastructure, public realm and managing corporate assets that serve local communities. She has a background in local authority government and is passionate about working with residents and stakeholders to help improve the built capital around inner city urban areas that also deliver better social and health outcomes for communities.
Siddiqa has extensive experience of managing complex multi-million pound regeneration projects and area wide master plans across London. As well as experience in rolling out development projects internationally, co-ordinating large multidisciplinary teams across continents.
She enjoys problem solving and influencing systems, from local residents to politicians and national funding bodies. She has an MA in Housing Practice and is a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. She is an avid reader and relishes discussing the history and evolution of social housing in the UK.
Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan is the one of the owners and Managing Director at Citu, a proud, Yorkshire based developer and impactful place-maker. Citu and Jonathan cultivate a culture of bold change and innovative thinking, ensuring that every project contributes to a more sustainable and beautiful future. With a strong belief in challenging and reshaping the rules, Jonathan leads Citu to create industry-leading, sustainable places that are both people-focused and future-proof.
With a background in architecture, Jonathan has a deep understanding of design, regeneration, and most importantly how people feel in spaces and places. His early career in the third sector played a pivotal role in shaping their approach to interdisciplinary collaboration and progressive urban development. Jonathan thrives with constraints, seeing them as catalysts for the most creative and impactful solutions.
Passionate about purposeful placemaking and transformative ideas, Jonathan is committed to driving meaningful change in urban environments. As a board member of the Academy of Urbanism, he will bring his experience and vision to support the evolution and excellence of the Academy and all its important work.
New Staff
Avantika Pathania
Avantika has started as Membership Coordinator (Maternity Cover) at the Academy of Urbanism this April, bringing experience from the art and museum sector. She has worked across various cultural institutions, including art fairs, galleries, and museums, in India and London, developing a strong background in events and member engagement.
Avantika has also contributed as an arts writer for Fetch Magazine, reviewing contemporary art exhibitions and interviewing contemporary artists in London.
Outside of work, she enjoys attending classical orchestra performances, listening to jazz—especially Bill Evans, exploring films and art museums, with the National Gallery being a frequent favourite.
