Governance and organisation structure

ARBV Board

The ARBV Board is responsible for performing statutory decision-making functions and powers conferred by the Architects Act 1991 (the Act) and the Architects Regulations 2015. The ARBV Board also provides leadership, strategic guidance and policy direction in addition to overseeing implementation of policies and initiatives.

With effect from 1 February 2024, the Building Legislation Amendment Act 2023 introduced changes to governance arrangements in the Act, including changes to provisions relating to board composition.

The following changes were ushered in:

Membership

The Board to consist of at least 3 and no more than 9 members appointed by the Governor in Council.

The Board will comprise at least 3 members who are architects, each who have demonstrated experience in a leadership role within the building industry.

Collectively, the members of the Board have the skills, knowledge or experience specified in the Architects Act 1991, section 47(b).

Terms of appointment

The maximum term is up to 5 years.

Chairperson

The Minister appoints one of the members of the Board to be the Chairperson of the Board.

Deputy Chairperson

The Minister appoints one of the members of the Board to be the Deputy Chairperson of the Board.

The Board membership of the ARBV on 30 June 2025 was as follows:

• Dr Giorgio Marfella, PhD, M.Arch (Chairperson)
• Sally Brincat, M.Arch (Prac) (Deputy Chairperson)
• Michael Leeton, B.Arch (Hon), FRAIA Mark Curry, B.AppSc (Met), BSW, GAICD

• Tim Leslie, B.Arch (Hon), B.AppSc (environmental design)
• Prof Sarah McGann, PhD. B.ArchSc, Dip.Arch, FRAII (Ireland)
• Lorina Nervegna, B.Arch
• Yana Podolskaya, B.Legal Studies, LLB.
• Sally Wills, Adv. Dip. Building Design (Architectural)

Directors whose terms expired on 30 June 2025 were as follows:

• Sally Wills

During the year, the Board was assisted by the Remuneration and Organisation Development Committee. From time to time the Board is assisted by working groups. A joint working group comprising Board and staff members was formed to assist with the preparation of the Strengthening Compliance Culture in the Architecture Sector research report.

The Board is also responsible for constituting the independent Architects Tribunal to conduct inquiries concerning architects and their fitness to practise or professional conduct. The Act prohibits a person being concurrently a member of the ARBV Board and the Architects Tribunal.

CEO/Registrar

The Board appoints a Registrar to deliver the operations of the organisation in accordance with the agreed strategy. Dr Glenice Fox, SJD, LLB, BA, Grad Cert in Dispute Resolution has occupied the role of CEO/Registrar since February 2021.

Board Committees

Remuneration and Organisation Development Committee

The purpose of the Remuneration and Organisation Development Committee is to assist the Board to fulfil its obligations relating to remuneration, organisation development and human resource policy and related matters, including the management of the CEO/Registrar’s contract and performance review. The Committee fulfilled its purpose during the reporting period.

Members of the Remuneration and Organisation Development Committee during the year were Dr Giorgio Marfella (Chairperson), Sally Brincat (Deputy Chairperson) and Mark Curry.

Exemption from the requirement to have an Audit and Risk Committee and Internal Audit function for 2024-25

The ARBV was granted an extension of the exemptions from the requirements under clauses 3.2.1. and 3.2.2 of the Standing Directions 2018 to have an Audit and Risk Committee and Internal Audit function for the 2024-25 financial year. Each year, the ARBV is required to make an application for the continuation of these exemptions, to demonstrate that it has adequate controls in place, and that the exemptions remain appropriate.

The primary function of the Audit and Risk Committee was to assist the Board to fulfil its statutory obligations relating to the Financial Management Act 1994 (FMA) and associated Standing Directions 2018 issued by the Assistant Treasurer under Section 8 of the FMA. This function was subsumed by the Board with effect from 1 July 2023. Four Board meetings held during the year are focused on fulfilling the Board’s audit and risk obligations.

The following audit and risk responsibilities were subsumed by the Board:

• reviewing the effectiveness of the ARBV’s internal control environment, covering effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• reviewing the annual financial statements
• reviewing the information in the report of operations on financial management, performance and sustainability
• reviewing the rolling 3-year audit and review plan and ensure resources are adequate and used effectively, including co-ordination with external auditors
• maintaining effective communication with external auditors, consider recommendations arising from internal audits or made by external auditors and review the implementation of actions to resolve issues raised, and
• overseeing the effective operation of the risk management framework.