RIBA President Refuses to Renew ARB Registration as an Architect

RIBA President, Chris Williamson has written to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to confirm that he will not be renewing his registration.

From 2026, he will not be included on the UK’s register of architects.

The president’s move aims to draw attention to the ineffectiveness of the current regulatory system for UK architects.

Registration only protects the legally restricted title ‘architect’ and provides no oversight of the competence of those who undertake architectural services or activities. It therefore allows anybody to carry out the work of an architect, as long as they don’t call themselves one.

New Regulatory Model for Architects

Following the move, RIBA is campaigning to establish a new regulatory model for UK architects based on reserved activities. This focusses on three key steps:

• Repealing the Architects Act

• Introducing new legislation defining reserved activities, which RIBA defines as submitting full planning applications, building control applications, and final compliance certificates, and who can carry them out

• Establishing a Built Environment Council to oversee the competence requirements of construction industry professional bodies who would assess the competence of individuals, who would then be included as chartered members, with the ability to undertake the reserved functions named above

Quality & Safety

Chris Williamson said: “Today I have written to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to tell them I will not be renewing my registration.

“Regulating the title “architect” alone offers no oversight over the competence of those who undertake architectural services or activities.

“The current regulatory system means that anyone can perform the work of an architect, as long as they do not use the title.

“This does nothing to ensure quality or safety in our built environment, while also placing an unnecessary financial burden on the profession with little demonstrable public benefit.

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly. However, I wanted to highlight the absurdity of the current regulation and advocate for a new system – one which focuses on competence.”

Chris Williamson’s status as a RIBA Chartered Member is unchanged, as he holds RIBA qualifications Parts 1, 2 and 3.

COMMENT

Profession is at a crossroads

Ryan Wenham, a chartered architect and registered interior designer at Larsen Architecture, Liverpool, is supporting RIBA President Chris Williamson’s move, warning current regulations allow poor-quality architectural work to go unchecked.

Ryan Wenham, Larsen Architects

Ryan Wenham comments, “I read the news that RIBA President Chris Williamson will not be renewing his ARB registration and completely understand his reasoning. As the article explains, the current system only protects the title of “architect” and does nothing to regulate the quality or competence of the work being carried out. This is a serious issue for the profession and for the built environment as a whole.

Poor Quality Designs

“Architecture is one of the most demanding and complex professions in the UK. The level of skill, preparation, and responsibility required to qualify is enormous. Yet under the current regulations, anyone can perform architectural work as long as they do not call themselves an architect. This is leading to poor-quality designs, substandard workmanship, and a noticeable decline in standards across projects I have worked on. Planners are increasingly flagging these issues, and clients often do not understand the difference until it is too late.

“We need regulation that goes beyond protecting a title. It should ensure that anyone undertaking architectural activities meets real competence standards, not just formal qualifications. Otherwise, we risk good design being seen as a luxury, not a necessity.

Undercut

“Smaller studios and independent architects, who often deliver innovative and distinctive work, are the ones who feel the pressure most acutely. Their primary concern is that they can be undercut by underqualified people, which can have disastrous results. Protecting the work itself would help ensure that quality, creativity, and professional integrity are properly valued and fairly rewarded.

“The profession is at a crossroads. If we continue with a system that focuses on title alone, we risk allowing standards to slip further and losing public trust in the value of architectural expertise. Williamson’s move is a clear signal that change is needed, and it is something the industry cannot afford to ignore.”

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