Board's Strategy

What is ARB?
ARB’s values
ARB’s strategic aims
What ARB does
Going forward

What is ARB?

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) was established by an Act of Parliament - the Architects Act - in 1997. ARB is both the independent statutory regulator of all UK registered architects and the UK’s competent authority for architects.

ARB has fifteen members on its Board, eight of whom are non-architects (lay) appointed by the Privy Council, and seven are architects who are elected by their peers. The term of office for both architect and lay members is three years, with the option of a second consecutive three-year term if reappointed or re-elected.

ARB’s values

ARB’s values underpin how it sets its strategic aims and how it operates. The values are at the core of ARB’s strategic objectives.

ARB will reflect its core values throughout the organisation in all its activities and communications. This will demonstrate that ARB is a professional, confident and cohesive organisation which actively listens to and engages with its stakeholders.

ARB’s core values are:

Proportionality

ARB’s actions are proportionate, take account of the issues, the risks associated with the issues and the costs involved.

Evidence-Based Objectivity

ARB is objective in taking decisions, and its actions are based on evidence.

Open-Minded

ARB welcomes, encourages and considers the opinions of others.

Transparency

Wherever possible, ARB is transparent in its actions and makes information accessible to others.

Integrity

ARB is professional and honest, and treats everyone with respect.

ARB’s strategy

ARB’s purpose is to ensure that architects are competent and behave with integrity in accordance with the provisions of the Architects Act 1997. ARB sets and maintains standards for entry to the Register of Architects, as well as the standards of conduct and practice which are expected of architects.

ARB has identified three aims of equal importance, which together direct its work.

ARB's aims [D]

Protect the consumer: ARB will protect consumers by regulating architects so that the public can be confident that architects are appropriately qualified.

Support architects: ARB will maintain and publicly demonstrate the status of architects as competent, qualified professionals, and will regulate use of the title “architect”.

Deliver the Architects Act 1997: ARB will deliver the requirements of the Act and meet its statutory obligations following both the letter and the spirit of the legislation in a responsible way.

Within all three areas, ARB will ensure that it acts in a manner which is at all times proportionate. Each aim is mutually supportive.

ARB will work in conjunction with other bodies from within the profession, the wider built environment and beyond to deliver its strategic aims.

What ARB does

ARB’s responsibilities are set out within the Architects Act 1997, and are outlined below.

To maintain and publish the Register of Architects.

To prescribe (“recognise”) the qualifications needed to become an architect.

To register those who meet ARB’s requirements for qualifications, experience and competence.

To set standards for professional competence.

To issue a code laying down standards of conduct and practice expected of architects.

To regulate use of the title “architect”.

To deal with complaints and enquiries from members of the public regarding the conduct and competence of architects.

ARB is the Competent Authority for architects in the UK. In this capacity, ARB liaises with its counterparts in other European countries to fulfil its obligations.

Going forward

ARB will develop an annual Business Plan to indicate how the Board’s strategic aims are to be taken forward during that year. ARB publishes the Business Plan on its website, and welcomes feedback from stakeholders. Comments will be taken into consideration when developing the following year’s Business Plan.

ARB will review its performance against its Business Plan on a regular basis.