New Head of Qualifications for ARB

New Head of Qualifications for ARB (20/09/2006)

The Architects Registration Board has today announced the appointment of Emma Matthews as its new Head of Qualifications and Prescription. Emma will replace Jon Levett, who is leaving ARB at the end of September. Emma fomally takes up her new role on 9 October.

Emma was previously ARB’s Education Executive, responsible for managing the Board’s processes for prescribing architectural qualifications leading to entry onto the UK Register of Architects. Her new role will, among other things, encompass:

• Advising the Board on qualifications, prescription and educational matters, both in the UK and overseas, working closely with the Chairman of the Prescription Committee

• Setting standards and guidelines for the practical experience and continuing professional development expected of those on or returning to the Register

• Monitoring the European legislative process vis-à-vis Directive 85/384/EC and associated advisory committees, and ensuring the Board’s policies are informed by developments

• Developing and maintaining good working relationships with architects’ professional bodies and other stakeholders on qualifications, competence, education and related matters

Commenting on the appointment, Alan Crane, Chairman of the Prescription Committee, said:

“We are delighted that Emma will be taking on this key post at ARB. We owe a duty both to the profession and the public to ensure that architectural education equips students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to become competent architects. Emma’s understanding and wide experience of the academic and regulatory worlds make her eminently well suited to this role.”

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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.