SRA announces appointment of new chair

Enid Rowlands has been appointed to succeed Charles Plant as chair of the SRA Board effective from 1 January 2015.

Rowlands was appointed as a member of the SRA Board on 1 January 2013. She is the UK chair of Victim Support, having also held roles with Consumer Focus, North Wales Police Authority, North Wales Health Authority, the Training Standards Council and S4C Broadcasting Authority.

Confirming her ascension to the role, Rowlands said: "I look forward to leading a highly able and committed Board and an organisation comprised of talented individuals with a strong commitment to providing high-quality regulation in the public interest.

"There is much for the organisation to do to continue the programme of modernisation and liberalisation on which it has embarked. I have every confidence that it will be successful in delivering this programme and the benefits that it is designed to achieve.

"I am particularly looking forward to developing strong and effective working relationships with those regulated by the SRA and with their representative bodies, and to developing a stronger dialogue with the users of legal services on whose behalf we regulate."

After training in psychology, Rowlands' professional life has included numerous training and skills positions. She began her career working with unemployed and disadvantaged young people, progressing to being chair of Education and Skills Wales.

She is currently a member of the General Medical Council, board member at the Information Commissioner's Office and a trustee of Nest Corporation. She has also served on ministerial advisory committees on equality and held voluntary sector positions with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and The Prince's Trust.

The current chair of the SRA Board, Charles Plant, said: "I am delighted to announce that Enid Rowlands has been appointed as the new chair of the SRA Board. Enid brings a wealth of experience from her roles in the public and voluntary sectors, and has an excellent understanding of regulation in the legal services market through her membership of the SRA Board.

"I look forward to working closely with her over the coming months to ensure a smooth and successful transition."

Welcoming Rowlands' appointment, Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the Legal Services Board said: "I am delighted to learn of Enid's appointment. The SRA has set itself a challenging agenda which, when achieved, promises to bring benefits for consumers, the wider public interest and solicitors alike. Enid's track record speaks for itself and she will provide strong leadership to a Board committed to change. I look forward to working with her to deliver the range of regulatory objectives shared by both of our organisations."

Plant, who has led the SRA Board since January 2010, will be stepping down from his office on 31 December 2014. The appointment of Rowlands has been made by an independent appointments panel, chaired by Elizabeth Filkin CBE, following an open competition. Her appointment is for an initial period of three years.