The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) has announced the appointment of Margaret Bearsley as its new Chief Executive.

Bearsley, who will replace retiring Chief Executive Paul Jackman on 15 June, is a lawyer. She comes to the NZRAB from the Accident Compensation Commission, where she was Manager, Corporate Secretariat. Before that, she was Chief Executive of the Takeovers Panel.

NZRAB Chair Gina Jones says Bearsley’s appointment comes at a time when the NZRAB is facing many new challenges. “Noteworthy in the near term will be developing a new set of arrangements for the way architects do their professional development to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. Also, the NZRAB has just introduced a new set of complaints procedures, which will need to be bedded down in the months ahead.”

Jones says she is confident that Bearsley is well equipped to provide the leadership that the NZRAB will need to advance its work.

Jones also formally expressed the NZRAB Board’s thanks to the outgoing Chief Executive. “Paul took up the post in August 2007. Under his leadership, the NZRAB has evolved substantially, and the Board thanks Paul for his sustained effort in this regard.”