RIBA reveals 2018 business trends report

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed its annual summary of trends in the architecture profession and construction sector.

The RIBA’s annual Business Benchmarking survey provides data on architects’ profit and turnover, salaries, and identifies global growth areas for the export of UK architecture expertise.

Drawn from data provided by RIBA’s Chartered Practices, the Business Benchmarking Survey has been conducted since 2012 to provide insight into trends over time.

Key trends in 2018 (compared to 2017) are:

• The value of international work has increased to £513m (from £498m)
• Asia (£140m) has overtaken the Middle East (£104m) as the most profitable source of work for UK-based architects
• EU work has increased to £118m (from £108m) – making it the second largest source of international work
• Salaries have increased ahead of inflation suggesting practices are working hard to retain their staff.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “Our Business Benchmarking Survey results indicate areas of buoyancy in architecture and construction projects. The total revenue of our architecture firms has doubled since 2012 and, since then, growth in revenue has continued to outpace employment growth, indicating an ongoing increase in productivity.

"Growing demand from Asia and the EU – shows the importance of both maintaining our current relationship with the EU and value placed on British experience in new markets and underlines the importance of a good Brexit outcome.

"The Government must deliver a deal that works for the architecture sector and ensures we are able to access vital services, attract and retain talented professional and maintain our renowned position as a globally successful hub for architectural excellence.”