The RIBA has dismissed its North East regional director after uncovering £10,000 of financial irregularities.

An internal investigation found “several instances” of fraud and financial irregularity over the past year, resulting in a formal disciplinary panel hearing for Jon Jo McNamara, who was found guilty of gross misconduct and dismissed with immediate effect.

The matter has been referred to Northumbria Police, who are carrying out their own investigation.

A statement from the RIBA added: “We are in the process of reimbursing individuals and organisations who were affected by Jon Jo’s actions.”

The RIBA confirmed that no other employees were involved and added that any RIBA employee had the right to appeal any disciplinary decision.

A local architect said: “Everyone in the practice was surprised when we heard the news. It was not something that anyone was talking about.”

The RIBA is now seeking a replacement for McNamara, who was based at RIBA’s Newcastle office and was one of 10 regional directors it employed.

McNamara was also a representative of the RIBA on the Construction Industry Council’s north-east executive committee. Before joining the RIBA he worked for the Conservative Party, the European Parliament and acted for more than two years as the head of the elected mayor’s office at North Tyneside Council.