The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has appointed Caroline Corby as its next chair as it seeks to rebuild confidence after criticism over its oversight of failed law firms.
Corby, who has been chair of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) since 2021 – a health regulator similar to the Legal Services Board – will take up her new role in November after leaving the PSA. She succeeds Anna Bradley, who announced in June that she would step down after eight years in the role. Corby will work alongside chief executive Sarah Rapson on changes intended to make the regulator more proactive and effective in protecting consumers.
In addition to her PSA role, her other appointments include serving as lead non-executive board member and chair of the Crown Prosecution Service – which could create a conflict over regulating solicitors working for the prosecutor – chair of the housing association Peabody Trust and non-executive director of the Security Industry Authority.
During her tenure at the PSA, the organisation introduced a new standards framework for regulators and expanded its engagement with UK stakeholders.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining the SRA as chair of the board. The UK’s legal services sector is rightly seen as a global leader that supports businesses, strengthens the rule of law and drives confidence in our legal system.
“Strong and effective regulation is fundamental to that success, creating the conditions that drive the public’s trust in legal services.”
Corby added: “I look forward to working with the board, Sarah and colleagues across the organisation as the SRA enters its next phase of becoming a more modern, proportionate, effective and trusted regulator.”
Rapson said Corby joins at an important time, bringing experience in regulation, governance and public protection, alongside a record of leading organisational change.
She added: “I know [Corby] shares our ambition to ensure regulation protects the public while supporting a modern and thriving legal sector. Caroline’s insight and leadership will be invaluable as we deliver our plans to become a more modern, proactive and intelligence-led regulator.”
Rapson also thanked Bradley for her support since becoming chief executive.
The appointment followed a recruitment process conducted by an external agency over several months. An independent selection panel was chaired by Lisa Mayhew, the SRA’s senior independent board member and a former co-chair and managing partner at US-UK law firm BCLP, where she practised employment law. She is currently CEO of accountancy firm Gravita.
Mayhew said: “Caroline stood out through a highly competitive recruitment process. She combines deep regulatory expertise with a clear commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining public confidence.”
Corby worked in the City for 13 years, specialising in private equity and serving on around 10 private sector boards. She joined the London Probation Trust board in 2007 and later became chair, before joining the Parole Board, which she chaired for seven years. She is the daughter of online shopping magnate John Mills.
The appointment comes as the SRA faces considerable scrutiny. As previously reported, the Legal Services Board issued binding directions in May 2025 requiring the SRA to improve risk identification and safeguards for client money following Axiom Ince’s collapse.
In October 2025, a review of its handling of SSB found it had failed to respond effectively to warning signs, prompting further enforcement proceedings.
The then Law Society president, Mark Evans, criticised “a lack of leadership and oversight of regulatory procedures at the SRA” and called for cultural change and continued scrutiny, while Bradley apologised and accepted the review’s recommendations.
The pressure continued after PM Law’s collapse in February, which later revealed that up to £39.5m in client money could be missing from the firm.
In response, the SRA said it was expanding its executive team – which it has continued to do – with Corby’s announcement following two new board appointments: Ben Allgrove, chief innovation officer at Baker McKenzie, replaced Liz Smart, while Shrin Honap replaced Rob McWilliam in the SRA’s non-executive director risk management role.
Rapson, whose appointment was announced in June 2025, joined last November from the Financial Reporting Council, succeeding Paul Philip. Bradley subsequently announced her departure in June this year, acknowledging mistakes and saying the regulator had sometimes failed to keep pace with the market. Her tenure had been extended to help manage the aftermath of Axiom Ince.
Newly inaugurated Law Society president Brett Dixon said Corby’s key priorities should be “restoring public and solicitor confidence in the regulator and implementing the directions from the Legal Services Board following the collapse of Axiom Ince, SSB Law and PM Law”.
The statement came the same day the society’s annual general meeting rejected a motion from members to express no confidence in the SRA.
Dixon, who argued against the motion, said: “We have been encouraged by the SRA’s new leadership demonstrating a willingness to listen and act when they have got it wrong, and hope this will continue under the new chair of the board.”
He added: “I look forward to working with Caroline as she starts in her new role.”
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