A specialist in professional regulation whose career has included posts in bodies with interests ranging from architecture to dentistry is to be the next chair of the Legal Services Board, the super-regulator announced today. Alan Kershaw, the chair of the Architects Registration Board, will succeed Dr Helen Philips for a four-year term from 1 April.
Announcing the appointment, the LSB said Kershaw has specialised in professional regulation since 1983 working in both executive and non-executive roles. His current posts include chair of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. He also holds posts at the Intellectual Property Regulation Board CILEX Regulation, which he will resign from on taking up the new post, along with roles at the General Optical Council and Royal College of General Practitioners.
He will continue in his roles as chair of the Architects Registration Board and of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters.
Kershaw was a lay member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority from 2006 to 2008. As chair of Ilex Professional Standards in 2015 he spoke of the ‘great opportunity’ for solicitors to enjoy a choice of regulator. He is also a founder member of the Institute of Regulation.
In a statement today Kershaw said: 'I am delighted to take on this role as we seek to lead in delivering effective regulation of legal services for the public. Working with the legal regulators and professions, I aim to ensure that the regulation delivered across the sector is effective and inspires public trust and confidence. I am eager to make a positive impact and look forward to the opportunities ahead. While I have experience in regulation in the legal and other sectors, I will engage widely and work collaboratively to build on the vital work of the Legal Services Board.’
Kershaw’s LinkedIn profile describes him as 'Always keen to meet new challenges head on without drama.'
Philips, who has been chair since 2017, said: 'I am pleased to be handing over a confident, well-led and ambitious organisation, and I wish Alan every success in serving the board and the wider sector to deliver its broad and important mission and remit.'
According to the LSB’s annual report, the chair drew a salary of between £60,000 and £65,000 in 2021/22.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: 'We congratulate Alan Kershaw on his appointment as the new chair of the LSB. We look forward to working constructively with him.
'During her four-year tenure, Helen Phillips has made great strides in improvements to public legal education about the legal services market, which we applaud.
'We will continue to work constructively with the LSB by representing the interests of our members in a profession which upholds high standards.'
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