News - Resignation at CABE

The Chair of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has stepped down in response to a government-led review into potential conflicts of interest at the advisory body. Sir Stuart Lipton, who has been Chair of CABE since it was established in 1999, is also the major shareholder Chairman and Director of property developer Stanhope plc. Concerns had been raised about Lipton?s influence over CABE?s design review of proposals to renovate South Kensington tube station, as Stanhope was the property developer backing the plans.
In a statement he said, ?I feel it is appropriate to announce my intention [to resign] on the eve of publication of the findings of the independent audit of CABE?s activities to enable the organisation to respond freely to the report?s recommendations.? The audit, carried out by chartered accountants AHL Ltd, recognises that while it is valuable to have current and relevant industry experience among the commissioners, inevitably this may lead to conflicts of interest. The report acknowledges that CABE has developed an ?excellent reputation in the fields of architecture and design? and insists that its recommendations are designed to preserve CABE?s reputation for impartiality within the industry and with the public. Recommendations include an increase in the number of independent commissioners, training for commissioners in compliance with the Nolan principles on standards in public life and increased scrutiny of CABE?s register of interests.