Will there be an exodus from the ARB register next month after Chris Williamson’s decision not to renew?

By Tom Lowe2025-12-18T06:57:00

The RIBA president’s decision to abandon his architect title in a statement against the ‘absurdity’ of the registration system has heightened debate around what the term really means, and how regulatory oversight of the architectural profession can be reformed

Very few architects will have not had a discussion with their colleagues over the past few days about Chris Williamson’s decision not to renew his ARB registration. The RIBA president’s surprise move was announced with almost Trumpian flare at the institute’s quarterly council meeting last Thursday evening.

Many have been impressed by the boldness of the co-founder of WW+P and industry veteran who, in just two weeks’ time, will no longer be able to call himself an architect. Whether this initial reaction will translate to any meaningful change over the next few months is far less certain.

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