Statement

SRA Chief Executive to retire

27 February 2025

After nearly 12 years as Chief Executive, Paul Philip will be retiring from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) towards the end of 2025, once a suitable replacement has been found.

Anna Bradley, SRA Chair, said:

'Paul has been with the SRA for well over a decade and has led the organisation through transformative change – including reforming our rules to get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy, introducing Anti-Money Laundering regulatory arrangements, and developing and delivering the SQE to make sure everyone can trust that qualifying solicitors are meeting a consistent, high standard.

'When he took over, the SRA was still very much embedded in the Law Society governance structures. He has helped us negotiate our way through to becoming a separate legal entity, significantly improved our operational processes, and ensured we became a more efficient and effective regulator.

'The SRA is mid-way through its current strategy and last year strengthened its senior management structure, making this a good time for succession to occur.

'The Board would like to give our thanks to him for the major contribution he has made to the SRA. He will be a hard act to follow.'

Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive said:

'It has been a privilege to be able to play such a key role regulating in the public interest.

'It has been an incredibly interesting, challenging and fulfilling role. I would like to thank all my colleagues in the SRA, as well as the SRA Board – all of whom are united in delivering in the public interest. Both their support and challenge throughout the years has been invaluable.

'Likewise, I would also like to thank all those outside the SRA – both within the profession and beyond – who have worked with me, shared their thoughts, and sharpened my thinking.

'There is always more you would like to do and achieve, but I am proud of the progress we have made. After so long at the helm, this feels like the right time to retire and switch pace. But before then, there is a lot of significant work to progress. I then look forward to handing over to a new Chief Executive later in the year.'

Recruitment for the new Chief Executive will begin in March. As announced in late 2024, Anna Bradley will remain as SRA Chair until the end of 2026 to recruit and bed-in a new Chief Executive and deliver the corporate strategy.

Paul Philip joined the SRA as Chief Executive in February 2014.