Independent People Committee Member

Posted by: ARB

Employed By: ARB

Job Title: Independent People Committee Member

Salary: £412 per day in addition to expenses for travel and subsistence

Contract: At least 4 meetings per year (but not restricted to), plus reading time.

Location: Hybrid role with meetings held in person, typically at our office (Architects Registration Board WC1X 8NH), or online.

Application Deadline: 01/07/2026

Job description

Independent Committee Member, People Committee - Role Profile and Specification

People Committee
The People Committee is a Committee of the Board. Its purpose is to oversee the strategic workforce strategy of ARB. This includes reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the pay and benefits offering to all staff, Board members and associates, the Board’s annual review process etc. It considers and approves the People Strategy which drives and sets the HR and organisational development workplan. The Committee also approves the appointments, induction, performance approach and removals policy for the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) associates.

Key responsibilities
1. Plays a key role in the work of the People Committee, providing strategic HR advice and sharing relevant knowledge and expertise to inform the Committee’s discussion and decision-making process.
2. Prepares for and attends all Committee meetings, making an active contribution to discussions and decision making.
3. Contributes to the collective decision making of the Committee, working with others to reach consensus.
4. Contributes to identifying and measuring the impact of the work of the Committee.
5. Assists the Committee and Chair to reach clear, outcome-focused decisions.
6. Is receptive to diverse opinions and working to the best interests of the organisation.
7. When making decisions, considers any appropriate guidance which will include the Architects Act 1997, ARB’s governance requirements, HR policies and UK employment legislation and any guidance provided by the relevant government departments.
8. Supports the Chair in enabling the Committee to operate and exercise its functions in accordance with the highest standards of conduct and probity.
9. Demonstrates and maintains good practice in decision making, enabling decisions to be made that are evidence-based, consistent, and proportionate.
10. Participates in annual performance and development review processes and attends learning and development opportunities in addition to completing e-learning programmes.
11. Upholds, models and promotes the values, behaviours, core policies, objectives and vision of the organisation.
12. Works to promote an inclusive and open culture across the organisation and understands how communication styles should be adjusted to different audiences.
13. Displays and follows the Code of Practice for Board members which is consistent with the Cabinet Office Model Code. Version 4 - 2026

Core Competencies/Behaviours
Leadership
14. Understands the role of governance and demonstrates a clear understanding of the statutory role, purpose and the principles underpinning the work of ARB.
15. Provides clear advice on all matters pertaining to HR and the organisation’s People Strategy, with particular focus on pay and benefits, organisational development and strategic workforce planning to achieve high standards of corporate governance, scrutiny and performance outcomes.
16. Understands and applies, in practice, the distinction between executive and
non-executive board roles.
Embracing change
17. Plans for, adapts to and works with a variety of situations, individuals and groups.
18. Has a positive attitude to change and identifies opportunities to continuously improve performance.
19. Assimilates and engages with the detail of complex material in a variety of formats, assimilating information quickly and accurately.
20. Assesses risk and promotes risk awareness and its management without being risk averse.
Communicating and influencing
21. Thinks and communicates constructively, critically, objectively, clearly and in a timely manner.
22. Can express views succinctly and effectively in a formal Committee meeting
environment, making reasoned and considered contributions.
23. Can positively influence others and earn their respect whilst listening to diverse views and respecting collective decisions.
24. Promotes ARB’s key messages by supporting a consistent approach to communications as set out in the organisation’s Strategy.
Team working
25. Adjusts their personal style and contribution to the dynamics of the discussion and the decision-making process.
26. Contributes effectively without dominating, to form a consensus in decision making with other Committee Members.
27. Always maintains confidentiality.
28. Builds trust, respect and confidence among fellow Committee Members and ARB staff.
Version 4 - 2026
Effective Personal Development
29. Shows a commitment to personal reflection and engages fully with the performance review process.
30. Actively seeks and responds positively to feedback from others.
31. Makes the most of opportunities to expand and develop their knowledge and skills.
32. Has an ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion actively embedding this in the work of the Committee.
33. Shows a commitment to the principles enshrined in the Seven Principles of Public Life and has a positive approach to acting in the public interest.
Essential knowledge and experience for the Independent Committee Member
34. Has a strong background in strategic human resources/leadership, including pay and reward, benefits, organisation development, strategic workforce planning, operating in environments that drive HR best practice.
35. Is a member or fellow of the CIPD and/or CMI with non-executive experience.
36. Has experience of working within committee or governance processes that include setting strategy and policy development, in either public or private sector environments.
37. Has experience of working with an executive team to challenge, support and hold them to account for the delivery of the organisation’s strategic aims and objectives.
38. Has practical and strategic experience around equality, diversity and inclusion.
39. Has an ability to understand and analyse a range of information and to use it to form balanced, proportionate, fair, and independent conclusions.
40. Shows independence of mind and integrity in reaching decisions.
41. Understands the statutory duty to promote equality and the practical application of diversity principles to appointment processes.
42. Strong commitment to good governance, upholding the Seven Principles of Public Life.
Version 4 - 2026

Additional Information for appointment purposes
Term of Office
Committee members will be appointed by the ARB Board for a period of up to four years in the first instance. The appointment may be renewed for a further period of four years subject to satisfactory performance. The term of office will commence on a date to be agreed by the ARB Board. Committee members carrying out this specific role may be appointed for a maximum period of two consecutive terms, e.g., eight years, in line with the Board’s policy in this area.

Time commitment
The total commitment is likely to be equivalent of up to 8 days a year (subject to change), including relevant Committee meetings, which will be held either online or in person at ARB’s offices in London, briefing sessions and preparation time for meetings.

Fee and Expenses
The Committee member will be entitled to claim £412 per day (or part thereof), for their attendance at the above-mentioned meetings, as well as expenses for travel and subsistence, in accordance with ARB’s Guidance for expenses for travel and subsistence. These payments are subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, and the deductions are made at source.