Architecture profession seeing strongest growth in eight years but small practices still struggling, RIBA report finds

The UK Architecture profession is experiencing its strongest financial performance since before the pandemic despite a fall in profits for smaller practices, according to new research published by RIBA.

The institute’s annual Business Benchmarking Report found total revenue at RIBA chartered practices was up 24% year-on-year for the 12 months to 1 May 2025, the highest real terms percentage rise since 2017.

The £5bn revenue brought in by practices during the period surpasses the previous peak in 2019, with RIBA reporting renewed confidence across much of the sector following several years of headwinds.

RIBA president Chris Williamson said the research “paints an encouraging picture of a profession regaining strength, confidence and international reach” 

Much of the growth has been driven by the overseas expansion of larger practices, with international revenue surging by 67% to over £1.5bn, largely from projects in the EU, Asia and the Middle East.

However, while larger practices have reported substantial gains and increased profits, growth has not been evenly distributed with the smallest practices, those employing one to four staff, seeing flat revenue and a slight fall in profits on average.

Pay gaps also remain a significant issue across the profession, with the gender pay gap unchanged since last year at 17% and only a slight improvement for the ethnicity pay gap, which stood at 10%.

Total employment increased by 3% to around 42,000 staff, more than half of whom are registered architects, with Part 1 architectural assistants seeing the biggest salary rise at 11% while senior pay growth has been modest.

Williamson said the findings “reflect architects’ adaptability and resilience in the face of persistent economic uncertainty and regulatory pressures” but warned there was more work to do to close the gender and ethnicity pay gaps.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see renewed global momentum, with international work up by an unprecedented 67%, much of it from the EU. UK architecture continues to be a world-leading export and a vital part of our creative economy. 

“But despite signalling the sector is on the right trajectory, there are also significant areas of concern.  

“I know from speaking to many colleagues that some aspects of this survey will come as overly optimistic given current circumstances. Small practices especially, continue to work in a challenging market. Stagnant revenue and falling profit reflect the challenge of winning residential work with adequate fees.”

London practices account for 67% of total revenue, reflecting the capital’s concentration of larger practices and offices working on overseas projects. Some 83% of overseas revenue was generated by practices with 100 or more staff.

Overall, practices are optimistic, anticipating a 7% rise in revenue in the year ahead, suggesting a belief that further productivity and profit gains are to come, according to the report.