To be perfectly honest, I never thought I would become a member of an organisation with the word “worshipful” in its title.

It sounds archaic. Perhaps even a little crusty. But 10 years ago I joined the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (the architects’ livery company) and found something rather more progressive than the name suggests.

Last month I became its master, which has caused me to think rather harder about something that extends well beyond this one organisation: what is the purpose of professional institutions in 2026?