The deputy head of the doctors’ regulator was today named as the next chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. 

Paul Philip, a barrister and currently deputy chief executive of the General Medical Council, will take over as chief executive of the SRA on 1 February next year.

He takes over from Antony Townsend, who joined the SRA in 2006 from the dental regulator the General Dental Council. 
 
Philip (pictured) has led the GMC’s medical ethics and disciplinary functions, reforming the council’s disciplinary work, and, according to an SRA statement, ‘ensuring the organisation delivered against challenging operational targets at the same time as introducing wide-ranging cultural change’.
 
He also led the development of the GMC’s in-house legal team, achieving multiple six-figure savings for the organisation.
 
Philip has previously held senior roles in both the Legal Services Commission and the NHS. He has both a first degree in law and a masters in law and was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn.
 
Commenting on the appointment, SRA chair Charles Plant said: ‘Paul has a wealth of experience in public interest regulation relating to the provision of professional services, which will be brought to bear on the opportunities and challenges facing the SRA as it moves to the next stage in our development. We are fortunate to have secured his services.’
 
Philip said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the SRA at this key time and look forward to building on the considerable strengths and achievements of the organisation to date.’

The SRA said it would not reveal Philip’s salary at this stage.