Sex attacker was not an “architect”

Sex attacker was not an “architect” (16/06/2006)

A number of newspapers, both national and local, yesterday (15 June) published an article about an “architect” who posed as a tramp to molest young girls.

ARB has checked its Register of Architects, and the name given for the person in question, Anthony De Boise, does not appear on the Register.

We have therefore written to the publications which ran the article to inform them that Mr De Boise was not registered, and it was therefore incorrect to refer to him as an “architect”. We explained that the title “architect” was protected by law, and it was unlawful to use the title in relation to an unregistered person. We further pointed out our duty to safeguard the reputation of the profession, and headlines such as were used could potentially damage that reputation in the eyes of the public.

We have reminded the editors of details of our online checking facility, as well as the freephone number on which they can telephone ARB, to establish whether a person is registered.

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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 unlawfully (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.