Harlow Consulting, a full-service research and evaluation agency, has been appointed to develop an impact evaluation framework of regulatory reforms to the initial education and training of architects.
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is introducing major reforms to make the Architects Register more accessible, by addressing known barriers such as the length of time taken to become an architect and requirements around work experience.
The evaluation will help to develop a robust evidence base enabling ARB to measure the impact of its reforms.
An ARB spokesperson said: “Our reforms were designed to make becoming an architect more inclusive, flexible, and responsive to the needs of today’s society. We set out to remove unnecessary barriers to ensure that anyone – whatever their background – can access the necessary training and education to become an architect. By commissioning this evaluation, we will be able to test the impact of our changes and ensure they are delivering on their purpose: improving access to the Architects Register while maintaining the high standards that the public rightly expects.”
Data analysis shows the make-up of architects in the UK is already becoming more diverse year on year. For example, ARB’s 2023 report Architects Today found that whilst women accounted for around 31% of the profession in 2022, in 2021 they accounted for almost half of all new architects joining the Register, with a similar figure in 2023. Latest figures show that 34% of the Register are female.
Jennifer Brennan, Director at Harlow Consulting, said: “We are delighted to be working with the ARB on this important evaluation, which will provide a comprehensive framework and methodology to enable ongoing assessment of the reforms.”
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is an independent professional regulator established by Parliament in 1997 under the Architects Act. Accountable to government, ARB’s core functions include ensuring only suitably competent individuals can practise as architects, maintaining a public Register for the profession, setting professional standards, monitoring architects’ continuing professional development, and protecting the legally restricted title "architect".
Harlow Consulting operates across the UK and internationally, specialising in sectors including construction, arts and heritage, healthcare and innovation. They also work extensively in the education sector, developing qualifications, standards and apprenticeship frameworks.
