Our 2017 Annual Report was published on 29 June 2018 and is a great way to find out more about our activities last year.  Amongst the information featured, you can find a Joint Message from our Chair and our Registrar and Chief Executive, discover more about the different functions of our role and review our performance report.

If you only have a few minutes to spare, fear not, we have selected some facts and figures to give you an ‘at a glance’ overview of our work supporting architects through regulation and protecting users of architects’ services.  If online viewing is not for you, there’s also a handy pdf version of the Report available to download and peruse at your leisure.

In 2017 the Professional Standards team conducted 431 investigations and two prosecutions in relation to misuse of the title.  We understand the strength of feeling around this issue and the significant harm it can cause and, where appropriate, we aim to resolve the issue swiftly rather than prosecute every case.  All 2017 cases that did not result in a prosecution were closed because the title misuse had been resolved without the need for further action.   We are committed to ensuring the action we take is proportionate, effective and cost efficient.  We only pursue prosecution if it is in the public interest to do so and if there is a reasonable prospect of success.  More information about our Misuse of Title Policy can be found here.

We also recognise that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and its impact on the profession may be on many of your minds.  The 2017 Annual Report highlights that there were fewer architects with EU qualifications joining the Register in 2017.  The UK’s withdrawal could be a possible factor in the reduced number of admissions, however we do not collect data on people’s reasons for applying so have no direct evidence confirming this is the cause.  While the number of new admissions via the EU route in 2017 is lower than in 2016 and 2015 it’s worth noting that it’s higher than 2012, 2013 and 2014.  The increase in new admissions during 2016 was likely due to a combination of factors including the strength of the UK economy and the availability of work at the time as well as the increased awareness of the possibility of mobility amongst EU citizens and applicants applying ahead of the EU referendum vote.  We’ve created a set of FAQs for those who may have questions about Brexit’s impact on the Registration of architects and the recognition of UK prescribed qualifications in other Member States.  They are updated as we learn more and can be found on our website here.

Thank you to all those who helped us deliver our statutory functions in 2017, and who continue to do so in 2018.