Thomas Ford, a 28-year-old former architect, made headlines last week—not for his designs, but for his criminal and racist behaviour.
Although he was officially removed from the UK’s architects’ register following a suspended jail sentence for assaulting a taxi driver and stealing a car, Ford is still running a business offering building design services.
The Incident That Ended His Architectural Career
The shocking events took place on a night out in November 2022, celebrating Ford’s qualification as an architect.
After leaving a Macclesfield taxi with his former colleagues, Ford became the last passenger in the car.
When the taxi driver told him he was from Pakistan, Ford reportedly launched into a racist tirade, repeatedly punching the driver, shoving him out of the vehicle, and then driving off in the taxi—a Toyota Prius worth £22,240.
The car later crashed into a residential garden, destroying property along the way.
Police quickly located Ford hiding nearby, and he tested well over the legal alcohol limit.
At Warrington Magistrates’ Court in October 2023, he admitted to racially aggravated harassment, racially aggravated assault, and criminal damage.
He received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with rehabilitation activity.
Official Striking Off From the Architects’ Register
Despite the severity of his actions, Ford did not report the conviction to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) until a year later during his license renewal.
The ARB’s professional conduct committee determined that his actions were “fundamentally incompatible” with remaining an architect.
Panel members noted that while Ford blamed alcohol for his behaviour, the racial abuse and assault were inexcusable, and the public would be “rightly appalled.”
Loophole Allows Him to Keep Practicing Design
Although Ford can no longer legally call himself an architect, ARB rules allow him to operate under different titles like “designer” or “consultant.”
Exploiting this loophole, Ford continues to run Tom Ford Architecture Limited, which he founded in 2021.
Companies House lists him as the sole director, describing his occupation as “architectural designer.”
Business Website Still Active and Glossy
His company website showcases computer-generated images of home extensions and office projects, presenting a polished, professional image.
There is no mention of his erasure from the official architects’ register or the criminal case against him.
The site promotes a personal and hands-on design service, offering everything from feasibility studies to 3D walkthroughs, aiming to give clients detailed attention often missing in larger firms.
Life Beyond the Courtroom
Ford has seemingly continued to enjoy life with his fiancée, taking luxury holidays since his conviction.
Social media posts show the couple travelling to the Dominican Republic, attending Glastonbury, and completing Scotland’s North Coast 500 route in a camper van.
A Harsh Lesson in Professional Standards
In the UK, becoming an architect takes five to seven years of rigorous education and practical experience, including an undergraduate degree, a Masters, and professional training.
Ford’s rapid fall from qualification to erasure serves as a cautionary tale about how one night of poor judgment can unravel years of effort.
