Georgina Philippou appointed by Legal Services Board

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced the appointment of Georgina Philippou as a new lay member of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC), the Board of the Legal Ombudsman. The appointment aligns with the Legal Services Act 2007 and brings a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in financial services regulation.

Georgina Philippou's impressive career includes serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Financial Conduct Authority, where she also held roles as Acting Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight and Director of Strategy and Delivery in the Enforcement and Financial Crime Division. Additionally, she is a member of the Financial Reporting Council's independent Tribunal, part of the International Monetary Fund Expert Panel, Vice Chair of Ad Centrum, and serves as the Executive Sponsor of The Diversity Project's Disability work stream.

The four-year appointment, effective from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2028, reflects Georgina's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Alan Kershaw, Chair of the Legal Services Board, commended her professional expertise and dedication to diversity, expressing confidence in her significant contribution to the Office for Legal Complaints.

Elisabeth Davies, Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints, welcomed Georgina at a pivotal time for the Legal Ombudsman (LeO). Georgina's wealth of experience is anticipated to enhance the OLC's focus on ensuring that LeO's services and impact align with the needs of the public and the legal profession. Davies also expressed gratitude to outgoing Board Member Jane Martin for her contributions over the past six years.

In response to her appointment, Georgina Philippou expressed her pleasure in joining the Office for Legal Complaints and conveyed her eagerness to collaborate with the Board to advance their important work.

Georgina Philippou's appointment underscores the LSB's commitment to ensuring a robust and inclusive legal complaints resolution process, ultimately fostering confidence in legal services for the public.