A decade of change, resilience and building careers worldwide
This year, 9B Careers celebrates 10 years of recruiting exceptional talent across architecture, design and the built environment; a milestone that feels particularly meaningful given how much the industry has evolved over the past decade.
The name 9B comes from the super-soft pencil lead I always loved using when sketching those very first design concepts. While we sadly see far fewer hand sketches appearing in CVs today, we still genuinely love it when one does. The tools may have changed, with skills now increasingly centred around Revit, BIM and AI, but the importance of strong ideas, creativity and thoughtful design has not.
The last ten years have been anything but predictable. The market has risen and fallen through Brexit, Covid, and the rebound that followed, each phase reshaping how studios hire and how professionals plan their careers. One of the most significant shifts has been the change in visa requirements for European professionals working in the UK. Unlike the period following the financial crash, when there was an influx of European architects into the UK, today there are arguably fewer roles available, but even fewer suitably qualified candidates, making the talent landscape more competitive than ever.
One thing that has changed remarkably little, however, is architectural salaries. Over the past decade, pay within the profession has increased by only around 15.5%, compared to approximately 42% across the wider UK workforce. As a result, many architects are reassessing their options and exploring client-side opportunities, where experience and responsibility are often more appropriately rewarded.
This salary pressure sits alongside a more challenging environment for architectural practices to operate in. Changes to taxation, higher employment costs, and increasing regulatory and administrative responsibilities mean it is significantly more expensive to employ staff than it was ten years ago. Practices are also being asked to take on greater levels of risk and accountability, particularly following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, while professional indemnity insurance costs have risen sharply. All of this has happened without a corresponding increase in fees, placing sustained pressure on practices and the people within them.
These realities are one of the reasons our 9B Architectural Salary Survey has become one of the most up-to-date and respected sources of salary information in the sector. Built on real market data and day-to-day conversations, the survey provides clear, practical insight across all levels, including architectural apprentices, an area often overlooked, helping studios and professionals make informed, transparent decisions.
For many experienced architects, this insight also highlights the growing appeal of client-side roles, such as this new position for a Senior Development / Project Manager (https://ffi.sh/Jc69a), which continue to offer broader responsibility and more competitive packages.
Over the past ten years, 9B has grown into a truly global recruitment partner. We’ve been fortunate to recruit for roles across Singapore, Bermuda, the Middle East, and China, working with clients ranging from UHNWI private individuals to some of the world’s largest architectural practices, including Stirling Prize winners.
Yet, some of the most meaningful work I’ve been involved in has been with small, ambitious, up-and-coming studios, where recruiting a first employee, or one of the very first team members, is a defining moment. Getting that hire right isn’t just about filling a role; it can shape a studio’s culture, confidence, and future direction. Being trusted with that responsibility is something I never take lightly and it sits alongside our global reach as one of the things I’m most proud of at 9B.
While 9B has traditionally focused on permanent recruitment, the evolving needs of studios mean flexibility has never been more important. To mark our tenth year, we’re excited to be expanding our contract offering with the arrival of Clare Murphy.
Clare joins 9B with seven years’ recruitment experience across Architecture, Interior Design, and the wider Creative Industries, alongside her background as a qualified architect, registered with the ARB, with eight years of professional experience delivering high-end residential and hospitality projects across London, the USA, and the UAE. Her role is to build and strengthen our contract service, providing high-quality, project-led solutions for studios and professionals alike.
Clare’s arrival also allows the team to sharpen its focus. Margarida will continue to specialise in permanent roles, while I will increasingly focus on senior, leadership, and strategic appointments, supporting clients and candidates at the highest level.
Reaching 10 years is both a moment to reflect and an opportunity to look forward. The industry continues to evolve, from regulation and technology to how careers are shaped and 9B will continue to evolve with it. As we move into our next decade, our commitment remains the same: thoughtful recruitment, honest advice and long-term relationships, whether studio-side or client-side, permanent or contract, local or global.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the 9B journey so far. Here’s to the next ten years. ✏️🏗️✨