The bar regulator's long-standing director of legal and enforcement is among senior staff leaving the organisation as part of a restructure, the Gazette has learned.

The Bar Standards Board announced today that it will ‘reorganise’ with effect from Monday as part of a wider reform programme. The BSB said the reform programme includes implementation of recommendations from international firm Fieldfisher, which was called in last year to review how well the BSB’s enforcement system was operating.

The ‘new structure’ will be made up of six departments: strategy, policy and insight; regulatory standards; regulatory enforcement; legal and information management; business planning, programmes and engagement; and people and culture. Certain directors and their departments will have new functions and responsibilities.

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The BSB told the Gazette that Sara Jagger, director of legal and enforcement, has decided to leave but kindly agreed to stay on into 2025 to support the transition while the BSB recruits a permanent director of legal and information. Jagger has been with the BSB for 19 years. She has been director of legal and enforcement since 2019.

Wilf White, director of communications and public engagement, has also decided to leave. White joined the BSB in 2016. 

The BSB said three colleagues have left, or are leaving, this year and it expects two others to follow in 202 after supporting the organisation with the transition. The Gazette has asked the BSB to clarify if these five colleagues' departures are in addition to Jagger and White's departures.

The BSB told the Gazette that other current directors will have equivalent roles in the new organisation, but with some changed responsibilities. Asked about the cost implications, the BSB said the costs are confidential but will be contained within the BSB’s budget for 2024/25.