Editor at 24, novelist and historian, gold medallist, publisher and
City Liveryman, Clive Birch has worked in national media, in bus
development and safety design, edited, designed and produced some 700
books, and created a museum. Senior Past Master of the Carmen of
London, he founded the Carman Research Readership at the RCA, helped
develop the Urban Flow concept, and is described as ‘passionate’ and
‘tireless’ about his work with students.
Clive Birch first came to the RCA in 2001, was welcomed as a
Visiting Lecturer in 2002 and in 2004 was appointed Carman Visiting
Tutor. In 2006 he created the first Vehicle Design yearbook, and in
2007 became Urban Flow pathway leader.
In 2007 he was also appointed to represent the Worshipful Company of Carmen on the Court of the RCA.
Born into transport (his family pioneered stage and mail routes, London
cabs and buses from 1796 – 1972), after early success in journalism he
worked in vehicle development, before returning to media management and
eventual board appointments within the Thomson Organisation. In 1974 he
formed his own publishing company.
In 1984 he founded a heritage charity, and created a museum and information centre.
Senior officer of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, he was awarded the
Princess Royal Gold Medal in 2008. He has served as trustee of a social
housing association since 2002.
His service to heritage, education and communications is reflected in
his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1980 and of
the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1981. He was made a Chevalier
of a French guild in 1991 and appointed MBE in 2000.