Someone at London firm Kingsley Napley has scented a growing business opportunity. The practice is beefing up its 'strategic regulatory advice' spinoff Stratify with a high-powered new hire.

Juliet Oliver, deputy chief executive and general counsel at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, will come on board in June after a 10-year stint with the regulator.

Stratify was founded last November by Kingsley Napley's regulatory guru Iain Miller and Oliver’s former SRA colleague Crispin Passmore, executive director of policy until 2018. Stratify offers advice to investors and leaders in the legal sector, claiming clients including private equity firms, family offices and start-ups.

Oliver's departure will be a blow to the SRA as it deals with the fallout from the Axiom Ince affair. The former Fieldfisher partner is seen as an experienced and highly competent figure in the organisation. Her SRA responsibilities include strategic management, advising on governance and compliance matters and regulatory reform, leading investigation and enforcement functions and the dedicated anti-money laundering directorate.

Passmore said: ‘I know that Juliet will be a huge asset to Stratify and our clients, given the breadth and depth of her regulatory experience. We worked closely together at the SRA on developing its regulatory framework, and I am looking forward to working with her again.’

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