Architects and the ARB - Composition of the Register (16/11/2005)
One third of new architects are women, according to ARB survey
A survey by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) reveals that women make up an increasing proportion of the UK Register of Architects, and now constitute some 30% of new entrants to the profession.
The survey was commissioned by the ARB to assess architects’ experience of the Board and its requirements, and looked in particular at the experience of women in the profession. Out of 3000 architects surveyed, 2000 of these were women.
The ARB survey also looked at levels of satisfaction with the regulatory regime, with a majority of respondents reporting high levels of satisfaction with ARB’s processes. Some respondents wished to see some kind of exemption from or reduction in the retention fee for architects who work part-time or intermittently. The survey also revealed some concern about the levels of professional indemnity insurance (PII) required by the Board.
The survey was undertaken by Board member Professor Nirmala Rao, who presented her findings to the Board in a draft report.
The Board welcomed the report, and expressed the hope that the information would be used to respond to an increasing number of women architects on the Register. The Board ruled out any reduction in the retention fee for part-time working, on the grounds that registration with ARB entitles architects to practise as such, irrespective of employment hours or status. Addressing concerns about PII, Chairman Humphrey LLoyd said that PII was kept under constant review by the Board’s Working Party and would be looked at again in the context of Professor Rao’s report.
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Notes for Editors
ARB is the statutory body established by Parliament under the Architects Act 1997 to regulate the UK architects’ profession in the public interest. The Act requires ARB (inter alia) to:
• Maintain the Register of Architects (Section 3)
• Prescribe qualifications for entry to the Register of Architects (Section 4)
• Deal with competence to practise (Section 9)
• Issue a Code which lays down standards of professional conduct and practice (Section 13)
• Regulate use of the title “architect” and prosecute those who use it fraudulently (Section 20)
ARB has a Board of 15 members, seven of whom are architects elected by the profession. The remaining eight are members of the public appointed by the Privy Council to represent the interests of consumers and users of architectural services.
ARB’s retention fee for 2006 has been set at £76.50. It continues to remain amongst the lowest for professionals.
The Board’s policy on professional indemnity insurance (PII) is kept under regular review by its PII Working Party, to ensure that the minimum levels remain relevant and appropriate to current market requirements.
The study was undertaken by Board member Professor Nirmala Rao. In-depth questionnaires were sent to 3000 registrants, 2000 of whom were women. There were 1208 returns, a response rate of just over 40%. A copy of the report can be accessed via the Board’s website, www.arb.org.uk
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