STEP appoints Emma Lovell as CEO

8 Jan 2026Appointments

The Board of STEP is pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Lovell as its new Chief Executive Officer.

With a wealth of experience in professional and financial services, Emma has held significant leadership roles, including her tenure as Chief Executive of the Lending Standards Board and R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals. Her exceptional background also includes serving as a Commissioner for the Institute of Directors, where she contributed to the development of the UK's first voluntary Code of Conduct for company directors in 2024, and being a Non-Executive Director for the Money Advice Liaison Group. The Board commended her global perspective and strong transformational leadership track record, noting that her insights will prove invaluable as STEP embarks on its next phase. Newly appointed STEP worldwide Chair Paolo Panico TEP emphasized the importance of Emma's leadership by saying, ‘Emma brings a truly global view alongside a proven ability to lead complex organisations through change,’ while outgoing Chair Kelly Greig TEP remarked, ‘Emma’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter.’ Eager to engage with members and stakeholders, Emma expressed her enthusiasm, stating, ‘I am delighted to be joining the STEP team at such an important time,’ highlighting the crucial role of trust and estate professionals in today’s complex world. Emma aims to support and empower STEP members so they can maintain the highest standards and make a positive global impact. In conclusion, the Board expressed gratitude for outgoing CEO Mark Walley’s contributions to STEP, as he prepares for retirement after seven years of dedicated service.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Children will receive swifter justice with new Victims’ Code for better support from the system

The UK Government has announced plans to create a child-friendly version of the Victims' Code, aiming to better support child victims navigating the complexities of the justice system

International fraud and the evolving challenges of service

The international nature of these high value, complex and interesting fraud disputes can create practical challenges to navigate, with one of those being at the very outset of proceedings: service.

Privacy, joinder and limitation in Gibraltar

The Supreme Court clarifies key divergences from English practice on privacy, limitation, and late joinder of defendants

Choksi v Government of India: security for costs in international kidnapping claim

High Court grants £677,000 security despite serious allegations of state-sponsored kidnapping and torture.

Cator v Thynn: representation orders and trustee protection post-Denaxe

Court clarifies trustee immunity requires proper defendant representation following Denaxe precedent.

NoCopyrightSounds v AEI Music: High Court grants interim injunction in IP rights dispute

High Court protects music catalogue rights pending trial despite messy contractual history.

Trayport Limited v E-Star Trading GmbH: service out of jurisdiction set aside on most claims

High Court sets aside service out permission for most claims, citing merits failures and non-disclosure.

Sahara Energy Resource Limited v Societe Nationale de Raffinage SA: binding agreement on undisputed claims

Court of Appeal determines scope of binding agreement reached at reconciliation meeting regarding outstanding claims.

GMC v Gilbert: Court of Appeal upholds suspension for sexual misconduct and racist remarks

Appeal dismissed: suspension not erasure appropriate for surgeon's sexual misconduct and racist comments.

Medway Council v The Father & Anor: parental consent and deprivation of liberty for children under 16

Complex needs child's care restrictions not unlawful with valid parental consent.

SRA intervenes following PM Law closure

The unexpected intervention by the SRA aims to safeguard clients' interests and manage ongoing matters efficiently

Witan analysis reveals legal sector struggles

New analysis shows more than 1 in 4 new legal businesses fail within their first five years

Community led legal services show success

A recent study highlights the effectiveness of community led legal services in improving access to justice

UKHO v Samyung ENC: High Court issues unless order over persistent disclosure breaches

Persistent non-compliance with disclosure orders leads to £90 million strike-out sanction

Al Hashimi v Secretary of State for the Home Department: British Overseas Citizenship claim fails on jurisdictional grounds

High Court dismisses nationality challenge by claimant residing abroad due to lack of ECHR jurisdiction.

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

AI in Law: responsibility never delegated

As AI becomes routine in legal practice, regulators and courts insist accountability stays firmly with the human professional