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The Architects Registration Board has appointed Hugh Simpson as its new Chief Executive. Hugh will join ARB as CEO designate on 10 December, taking over full powers of the Chief Executive and Registrar from 4 January 2021.

Alan Kershaw, ARB’s Acting Chair said:

“I am delighted to be welcoming Hugh as Chief Executive. He joins us at a crucial time as we recently unveiled an ambitious series of strategic projects to support public protection and the profession of architecture.  Hugh has a wealth of experience in leadership, regulation, public policy and has worked successfully with multiple stakeholders including government, the professions and the public. Hugh will work alongside our Interim Chief Executive and Registrar Marc Stoner throughout December to ensure a smooth transition.”

ARB is focused on supporting the profession through the regulatory changes demanded by the UK’s exit from the EU, the development of new guidance on fire and life safety, tackling the climate emergency and a comprehensive study of the competences which will be required of architects in the future. All this work will support both architects and schools of architecture.

Hugh Simpson’s early career was in corporate communications, public affairs and policy research. In 2005 he joined the General Medical Council to lead their public affairs and engagement activities in the UK and Europe. In 2010 he joined the newly formed regulatory body for pharmacy, the General Pharmaceutical Council, where, as strategy director, he had a wide brief including responsibility for pharmacy education and training, regulatory policy and standards. In 2018 he joined Clever Together as Managing Director, an agency which uses crowdsourcing technology to help organisations and leaders deliver culture change and external stakeholder engagement in policy development.

Hugh Simpson, CEO Designate said:

“I am delighted to be joining ARB at such an important time. It has been a challenging time for the sector and I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with our stakeholders, enabling and supporting architects and continuing the excellent work already underway at ARB to build confidence in the profession.”

—ENDS—

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Notes for Editors

o The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the statutory body established by Parliament under the Architects Act 1997 to regulate the UK architects’ profession in the public interest.

o Among other duties, the Act requires ARB to:

– Maintain the Architects Register
– Prescribe the qualifications needed to become an architect in the UK
– Issue a code laying down the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of architects
– Investigate allegations of unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence
– Investigate and where appropriate prosecute unregistered individuals who unlawfully call themselves an architect
– Act as the UK’s Competent Authority for architects

o ARB has a Board of 11 members all appointed by the Privy Council. This includes one independent, non-executive Chair and ten non-executive Board members made up of five members of the public and five architects.

o ARB has an Information Pack detailing its key messaging intended for use by the press and other stakeholders.

For further information please contact media@arb.or.uk or 020 7580 5861.