ARB commits to review protection of title amid function debate

The Architects Registration Board has unveiled its 2026-2030 corporate strategy committing to review the effectiveness of title regulation and explore alternative models. This follows months of debate sparked by RIBA president Chris Williamson's decision not to renew his ARB registration, highlighting the absurdity of paying fees for title with no regulation of function. Meanwhile, the ARB has been in detailed discussions with government for over a year about protecting function for architectural activities, seeking registration and assessment for principal designer roles. The regulator actively pursues around 500 title misuse cases annually, though criminal proceedings remain costly and lengthy. The strategy focuses on improving safety and strengthening professional competence, partly responding to Grenfell Tower inquiry findings, while government considers broader regulatory reforms expected this spring.

[Source](https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/arb-commits-to-review-of-protection-of-title)