The MemberWise Network is unique as being the only Network led by association and membership professionals. A core part of our team are the MemberWise Ambassadors; a group of practising membership professionals specialising in a specific area that we consider core and crucial to the world of membership such as engagement, recruitment and value.
In recent years, we have branched out into complementary areas such as governance, leadership, AI, communications and PR, and people/volunteer management in order to show how the membership role requires broader business insight and experience.
We are now pleased to announce that we have appointed a new Ambassador in the area of Digital Transformation – Introducing Nick Klee, Director of Technology at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Let’s get to know Nick (and the high profile professional body that he currently works for) who’ll be championing this crucial/developing area of activity…
Tell us about yourself and the membership body you currently work for…
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture with 53,000 members throughout the UK and Internationally. I lead a team of around 30 professionals who between them are responsible for operating and transforming all aspects of Digital, Data & Technology for the organisation. I’ve been with RIBA now for just over two years, and have worked in a number of different sectors prior to that, including two years with the British Medical Association
Tell us about some recent digital transformation focused achievements you have made recently…
In my time at RIBA my team and I have devised a 3 year roadmap for Digital Transformation, supported by an investment of up to £11m – which we are now well on the way to delivering. Our members will begin to see the benefits from our new integrated Digital platform next year.
How did you ‘get into membership?
I’ve been fortunate to work across industries as diverse as Banking, Real Estate & Healthcare – and my experience working with Healthcare Professionals for the UK’s largest independent private hospital was relevant to the British Medical Association and opened up the opportunity for me to join the membership sector.
How have you accessed the network in the past?
I’ve had limited involvement with MemberWise to date, but really enjoyed the previous Digital Excellence conference. Very much looking forward to playing an active role and supporting the organisation in future.
What are your current goals/challenges from a membership perspective?
Like all membership bodies, Digital is the key strategic enabler to remain relevant with an engaged, supportive membership. The challenge is to deliver significant improvements to the Digital membership experience, whilst simultaneously modernising the aged legacy technology that the institute operates on. It’s like upgrading the engine on a jet place while flying across the Atlantic .
How will you will champion your ambassador subject area?(25 words)
I’m looking forward to sharing my skills and experience in Digital Transformation, collaborating and learning from other professional peers. I passionately believe that Digital can no longer be seen as an “enabler” for membership bodies, it is of strategic importance and key to successful engagement and member growth. I want to help other professionals and organisations in their journey.
If you could recommend one thing to a membership/association professional starting out in a role similar to yours, what would it be?
A really simple one – assess where you are right now and focus on getting the basics right. To use an analogy that my Institutions members would relate to, you must get the foundations right before building on them. There are no shortcuts here, you need the right foundational technologies, Backoffice systems, teams and processes in place. If any of these are not fit for purpose, you’ll spend your time lost in the weeds and not making the progress you want (and need) to in your Digital Transformation.
Tell us something about yourself that not a lot of people may know…
After 25 years of living in my own house, I’m currently spending a few months touring different locations in the UK in my motorhome. As you’d probably expect from a Technology professional, it’s fully equipped and with Starlink satellite Internet connectivity and a great fixed desk to work from, I’m able to work remotely from pretty much any location
You can find out more about our growing cohort of MemberWise Ambassadors here…
Leave A Comment