Architect removed from register after exploiting sister’s finances

Mr Bell, 67, who had been a registered architect for 45 years and was formerly a director at Fouin & Bell Architects, pleaded guilty last year to taking £160,998 from his sister, who had dementia and had been legally classified as an adult with incapacity. He used the funds to pay for overseas holidays, cosmetic procedures, dental work and to support his business.

He received a 225‑hour community payback order and was instructed to repay the full sum within 12 months. His wife, who also held power of attorney, had a not‑guilty plea accepted.

According to the ARB’s Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), concerns were raised in 2018 when Mr Bell contacted the City of Edinburgh Council seeking financial assistance with his sister’s care fees, despite her previously documented high‑value estate. The council referred the matter to the Office of the Public Guardian, which found extensive “inappropriate expenditures” from her accounts. Mr Bell and his wife relinquished their power of attorney in 2019.

In its determination, the PCC said Mr Bell’s conduct represented a serious breach of trust and involved repeated dishonesty over a period of at least three years. The panel found that Bell showed limited insight into the wider implications of his actions, noting that he focused primarily on the personal consequences for himself rather than the impact on public confidence in the profession.

Committee chair Martin Winter said the public “would be appalled” if an architect convicted of such an offence were allowed to remain on the register. The panel concluded that erasure was necessary to uphold professional standards and protect the reputation of the sector.

During the hearing, Mr Bell argued that the matter was a “family issue” unrelated to his professional practice and that his sister had suffered “no harm”. The PCC rejected this, stating that the offence involved a vulnerable person and constituted a clear abuse of a position of trust.

Mr Bell will be unable to apply for restoration to the register for at least two years.