Sarah Lupton elected as Vice Chair of ARB

Sarah Lupton elected as Vice Chair of ARB (22/02/2008)

News release – Sarah Lupton elected as Vice Chair of ARB (22/02/08)

ARB is pleased to announce that Sarah Lupton has been elected by the Board to serve as ARB’s Vice Chair. Sarah’s term of office will run for one year from 21 February 2008. Sarah is an architect member of the Board, a partner in Lupton Stellakis and a Reader at Cardiff University.

The ballot was held as both Sarah and Colin Roy Brock were standing for the post of Vice Chair. Earlier this month, Chairman Michael Starling was returned unopposed.

Speaking after the election, Sarah said:

“2008 will be a key year for ARB in terms of the new European Directives on Qualifications and Services, and the Vice Chair’s role is crucial in ensuring that the procedures are implemented efficiently and explained to architects and consumers in a way that is clear and accessible. 2008 will also see a review of the prescription criteria and the Architects Code of Conduct. Alongside these major initiatives, we also have to ensure the effective delivery of the Architects Act. It will be a challenging year, but one I am looking forward to with enthusiasm.”

---Ends---

Notes for Editors

Sarah Lupton has degrees in architecture and law, and has over 20 years' experience as a partner in the London-based architects' practice of Lupton Stellakis. She is a member of the RIBA and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. For the last 12 years, she has combined practice with an academic post at the Welsh School of Architecture, where she is now a Reader and directs the MA in Professional Studies. She also lectures and runs seminars for architects in a large number of RIBA regions, and has authored many books on practice-related matters. She has been a member of a number of RIBA and construction industry committees, is currently a member of the CIC Liability Panel and the RIBA President's Advisory Committee on Dispute Resolution.

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 (among other things) 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 architect