The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has announced its new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy for 2025-2027, setting out a bold vision to foster greater inclusivity within the architects’ profession and remove barriers to entry and progression.
As part of its commitment to the new strategy, ARB has invited proposals for a major research project that will help ARB evaluate whether its education reforms and other changes are improving access to the architect's profession.
ARB’s new EDI strategy establishes four goals designed to create meaningful change both within ARB itself and across the profession it regulates.
The first two of ARB’s goals are focused on its legal remit and powers; the remaining two go further to describe a future vision for the profession that would deliver better outcomes for the public, and can only be achieved through genuine collaboration across the profession.
The four goals are:
- A more inclusive ARB
- Increased access to the Register for underrepresented groups
- More inclusive workplace cultures that remove barriers to progression
- An end to discrimination and sexual harassment in the profession
ARB Chair Alan Kershaw said: “This strategy is a bold step toward building a profession that truly reflects the diversity of our society, and a profession where talent and ability, not background or circumstance, determine success. We know the Register does not yet represent the society it serves, and that must change. This strategy is about more than promises – it outlines the actions we will take and are already taking to widen access to the Register.”
The goals are underpinned by activities ARB will undertake over the next three years and include:
- Under Goal 1, the establishment of an internal working group in ARB to gather ideas from staff and set priorities for internal EDI improvements
- Under Goal 2, research to help ARB evaluate whether its education reforms are improving access to the profession for underrepresented groups
- Under Goal 3, a new registrant survey to gather data on demographics, career progression, and attrition among architects, to deepen understanding of diversity and trends in the profession
- Under Goal 4, development of a resource hub for anyone experiencing discrimination, to help professionals to navigate difficult conversations and address unethical behaviour
As part of its new EDI Strategy, in support of Goal 2, ARB has invited tenders for a major research project to help ARB evaluate the effectiveness of its education reforms. ARB’s changes to education include introducing a new, flexible framework that is designed to create additional entry points and support a wider range of pathways to registration, with the ultimate aim of increasing access to the profession. To assess whether the reforms are improving access, ARB is currently inviting tenders from potential research partners to develop an evaluation framework. While broader societal and economic factors lie outside of its control, ARB has a clear responsibility for shaping routes into the profession. Researchers can review the research brief and submit a tender through Find a Tender.
To develop the strategy, ARB commissioned Purpose Union, a consultancy specialising in social impact. The development process included a review of ARB’s legal remit, its procedures and policies, an analysis of best practices from other organisations, and in-depth consultations with key stakeholders, including RIBA and EDI-focused networks. Additionally, the strategy draws on ARB-commissioned research into culture and misconduct in architecture, conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy.
Implementation of the strategy will begin in 2025 and will be embedded into ARB’s business plans over three years. While ARB acknowledges that not all of the goals will be achievable within three years, their inclusion reflects ARB’s commitment to driving long-term change and ensuring the architect’s profession is a profession that welcomes talent from all backgrounds.
For further details on the strategy and the development process, please see the report from Purpose Union.
