The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced three senior appointments it says will “strengthen its ability to hold the legal services regulators to account and deliver better outcomes for the people who use legal services.”
The oversight regulator has appointed Shona Barton as Director, Regulatory Oversight, leading the LSB’s oversight of the regulators. Barton will join in January 2027 from Ofcom.
Sam Wood, who will also join in January 2027, has been appointed Head of Performance & Oversight, to lead the scrutiny of regulators’ performance against the LSB’s standards. He is currently Head of Enforcement at Ofgem.
On his appointment he said: “I’m delighted to join the Legal Services Board. I look forward to bringing my regulatory and enforcement experience to the role, supporting strong oversight, effective performance and a continued focus on delivering better outcomes for consumers and the public.”
Atika Thomson joins the LSB having held senior roles at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the UK Space Agency and Ofgem. She will begin in December and has been appointed Head of Policy Development & Delivery, helping the LSB deliver on its strategy.
Commenting on their appointments LSB Chief Executive Richard Orpin said the legal sector is changing fast, with new technology and evolving consumer needs. Regulators must respond by understanding emerging risks and taking effective action to protect consumers:
“I am delighted that Shona, Sam and Atika are joining our senior team” he added. “They each have significant experience in effective, proportionate regulation, and they share a clear focus on making regulation work well for consumers. Their experience will strengthen how we hold the regulators to account and help us deliver on our strategic priorities at a time of real change for the sector. I’m delighted to welcome them to the LSB.”
Barton said: “I am honoured to be joining the LSB at such an important time. I look forward to working with regulators, consumers, and stakeholders to embed a risk-based approach to our oversight, improve consumer outcomes, and maintain trust and confidence in the legal services sector.”
Thomson added: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Legal Services Board. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about making regulation work better for those it serves, and I’m particularly looking forward to working together to deliver meaningful, lasting change that benefits everyone who relies on legal services.”
