Super-regulator, The Legal Services Board (LSB), has announced Chief Executive Craig Westwood will leave the organisation after just a year in the role having tendered his resignation citing personal reasons this week.
Westwood was appointed in May 2024 and took on the role of Chief Executive having previous been Director of Communications, Policy and Research at the Electoral Commission.
Thanking Westwood, LSB Interim Chair, Catherine Brown said
“On behalf of the Board and all of us at the LSB, I want to thank Craig for his leadership during his time as Chief Executive. Over a demanding year, he has led the organisation through significant developments. This included launching our consultation on the role of regulation in strengthening ethical standards in the profession. We also initiated enforcement action against the Solicitors Regulation Authority following the £60 million client money loss at Axiom Ince.”
“Craig will leave the LSB in a strong position to continue delivering effective regulation in the public interest. We wish him all the best for the future.”
The Legal Services Board recently issued a decision notice directing the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) to take action after the regulator was heavily criticised for its handling of the Axiom Ince collapse.
Westwood’s resignation comes just a week after the SRA announced Sarah Rapson would replace Paul Philip as CEO. Rapson joins from the Financial Reporting Council where she was Executive Director of Supervision, replacing Phil who retires after 10 years in the role.
The LSB will run a formal recruitment process to appoint a permanent Chief Executive. In the intervening period, Richard Orpin, Director of Regulation and Policy, has been appointed Interim CEO. Danielle Viall, General Counsel, has been appointed Interim Deputy CEO and General Counsel.
