RIBA commissions independent research on regulation and registration of architects

Date:

18 September 2009

Press office contact:

Mina Vadon
T: +44 (0)207 307 3761
E: mina.vadon@inst.riba.org

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has appointed Sir Christopher Ball to carry out an independent research project into the future of regulation and registration of the architects' profession.

This research will review the way registration of the profession is currently carried out, consider the benefits and drawbacks of the current regulations for the consumer and the professional practitioner, and propose alternative sustainable models for regulation and registration. It forms part of the RIBA's ongoing commitment to serve the public interest, foster consumer confidence, transparency, fairness and freedom for the development of the profession.

Sir Christopher will consult widely with prominent organisations in the architecture profession as part of the project, including the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Standing Conference of Heads of Schools of Architecture (SCHOSA), to provide an objective industry-wide perspective on the issue. The report is due for completion in December 2009.

RIBA President Ruth Reed said:

"This research project is very much in line with recent reviews undertaken by other professions, including law, medicine and accountancy, and the research published earlier this year by Spada examining the state of British Professions Today, which considered the role of the professions in the UK in the context of the changing political, economic, social and technological landscape. It also follows a similar review the RIBA commissioned on discipline and complaint procedures lead by Jodi Berg. Whatever the outcome of the next General Election, it is likely that the question of deregulation will feature on the political agenda. For these reasons, the RIBA has decided that it is an appropriate time to review whether the current model of regulation and registration of architects is necessary and proportionate; and whether it meets the needs of both the profession and the public. We are pleased that Sir Christopher will be working with us on this project, and look forward to his findings at the end of the year."

- ends -

Notes to editors

1. For further press information please contact Mina Vadon in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3761 or email mina.vadon@inst.riba.org |

2. Sir Christopher Ball's biography follows:

Born 1935, educated at Oxford after National Service with the Parachute Regiment; lecturer in Comparative Linguistics at London University, then Fellow in English at Lincoln College, Oxford; served with the Council for National Academic Awards; formerly Warden of Keble College, Oxford, and Chairman of the Board of the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education. He is married, with six (adult) children, and eight grandchildren.

His service with CNAA and BTEC, as Visiting Professor in Education at Leeds Polytechnic, Governor of Templeton College, Oxford, and Manchester Polytechnic, Chairman of Brathay Hall Trust, and his experience in Higher, Continuing and Further Education, in Development Training, and Education-Industry links, both in the UK and overseas, is represented in Fitness for Purpose (1985), Aim Higher (1989), Higher Education into the 1990s (with Heather Eggins, 1989), More Means Different (1990), Learning Pays (1991), Sharks and Splashes!: the future of education and employment (1991), Profitable Learning (1992) etc.

President of the Association of Colleges of Further and Higher Education 1990-92, Chairman of the Education-Industry Forum (Industry Matters, RSA) from 1989-90, and of the National Institute for Careers Education and Counselling (1989-92), he has worked with the CBI Education and Training Affairs Committee and Price Waterhouse. As the former RSA Fellow in Continuing Education and the RSA's Director of Learning, he directed several projects, including one on Early Learning, of which the report, entitled Start Right, was published in March 1994. In June 1994 he became the founding Chairman of the National Advisory Council for Careers and Educational Guidance. He was appointed Chancellor of the University of Derby in 1995, and was the founder, and is now one of the Patrons, of the National Campaign for Learning. He was education adviser to The Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust from 1991-2000, and Chairman of The Achievement Trust until 2008.

In recent years he has been vice-chairman of the Jigsaw Group of Nurseries (1998-04), founder and chairman (now patron) of The Talent Foundation (1999), and chairman of The Global University Alliance (2000-04). His interests include all aspects of human learning – especially 'early learning', lifelong learning, brain science, motivation, self-esteem and the exploration of the limits of human potential. At the age of seventy he partly retired from public life to devote himself to a small number of specific high-value projects – as well as running marathons, writing poetry, and helping small charities raise funds.