Sarah Rapson to replace Paul Philip as SRA chief executive during pivotal period for legal regulation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has named Sarah Rapson, a seasoned former Whitehall heavyweight, as its next chief executive, succeeding Paul Philip after his 12-year tenure. Rapson, currently executive director of supervision at the Financial Reporting Council, is set to take over later this year, stepping into the spotlight at a time of regulatory turbulence and reform.
Rapson brings with her a formidable CV, including previous stints as director-general of UK Visas and Immigration, CEO of HM Passport Service, and a board-level role at the UK Home Office. She also has private sector experience, having worked at American Express, Barclays, and Woolwich, and holds an MBA from London Business School.
Her annual salary will exceed £414,000, an increase from the previous year’s £391,600—a figure reflecting the weight of the role as the legal sector wrestles with scandal and scrutiny.
The new CEO will face immediate challenges. She joins just as the SRA navigates the final phase of its corporate strategy, and she’ll likely deal with the fallout from the Legal Services Board’s critical report into the Axiom Ince scandal, where hundreds of millions went unaccounted for under the regulator’s watch. A second LSB investigation into the collapse of SSB Law may also land before Rapson officially starts.
In a statement, Rapson said:
“I’m honoured to be asked to lead the SRA at such a pivotal moment for the legal sector. As we enter a new chapter, we’ll continue to navigate the opportunities and challenges brought by emerging technologies and evolving ways of working.
“The public rightly expects legal professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity and competence. I look forward to working closely with the profession, colleagues across the SRA, and with other regulators to ensure those standards are met – and to intervene appropriately where they are not.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHer appointment was warmly welcomed by Anna Bradley, chair of the SRA board, who described Rapson as the standout candidate:
“She has the broad and deep regulatory, policy and management experience to help her guide us through an increasingly challenging environment.”
Bradley also paid tribute to Paul Philip, crediting him with leading the SRA through a dynamic decade of reform and modernisation:
“His work has strengthened public protection and reshaped our approach.”
Meanwhile, Law Society chief executive Ian Jeffery acknowledged Rapson’s tough brief:
“Restoring consumer and solicitors’ trust and confidence in the regulator following a challenging period, which has seen the collapse of Axiom Ince and SSB Law, will be vital.”
The SRA’s reputation has taken repeated hits in recent years, with critics questioning the regulator’s vigilance in protecting client funds and its failure to intervene earlier in high-profile law firm failures. Rapson, with her experience at the heart of UK bureaucracy, is expected to bring a more robust and transparent leadership style to a role under increasing public and political pressure.
Her appointment marks a strategic reset for the SRA, as it looks to rebuild trust, embrace AI, and enforce stricter compliance measures across the profession. Legal insiders will now watch closely to see if Rapson can restore credibility where others have stumbled.
