Board Member Recruitment Pack - Saxton Bampfylde
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Board Member Recruitment Pack
2
A letter from
our chair
entity within the Law Society markets. As the regulator of more
Group. That independence than 90 per cent of the legal
is key to establishing public market in England and Wales, we
confidence in the work we do to are well placed to encourage new
protect service user interests. ways of doing business safely
Independence also helps and effectively for everyone.
solicitors to be clearer about our
role as the regulator. As a result Our Board is committed to taking
of this change, you will be joining a long-term strategic perspective
the Board as a company director and looking ahead we know that
and helping us to adjust the way the regulatory, and indeed wider,
we work, including a potential landscape can struggle to keep
shift to charitable status. up with the pace of challenge
and change. We have agreed
Anna Bradley
It’s an exciting time for us as that we will call out the difficult
Chair of the SRA Board
we go into the second year issues that sit across agency
of our Corporate Strategy. boundaries, working with others
Dear candidate,
Importantly, autumn 2021 sees to find solutions and speaking
the first candidates sit our new up where we see problems.
I am delighted that you
Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
are interested in joining
This is the culmination of a One of the key priorities for
the Board of the Solicitors
10-year programme of work the legal sector is reflecting
Regulation Authority.
to transform the way aspiring the diversity of the community
solicitors join the profession, we serve at every level, from
We are the largest regulator
ensuring everyone reaches the the smallest of law firms to the
in the UK legal sector,
same high standards and that senior judiciary. This goes for
setting the standards for
a career in law is achievable, the SRA too, and diversity is at
the 210,000 solicitors and
regardless of background. It the heart of everything we do.
10,000 firms in England and
represents a sea change in our If you can bring diversity to the
Wales that we regulate.
approach to qualification. Board, we would be particularly
We are proud of our track record pleased to hear from you.
of driving an open, competitive, The pandemic has shown us
all the value of technology and It’s fair to say that we are
diverse legal market that provides
innovation and we see these as ambitious – ambitious for the
high-quality, accessible and
critical for the legal sector too. people who need legal services
affordable services for all those
We think they can bring real and for those who provide them.
who need them. In these difficult
benefits for the many people If you share that ambition and
times, we think access to legal
who can’t afford or can’t find the have the appetite to tackle some
services is all the more important
help they need. Innovation and of the challenges in a complex
and change is a constant.
technology will also help law and fast-changing landscape, we
We have also been changing and firms to be competitive in both would like to hear from you.
this year became a distinct legal the domestic and international
3 An introduction The Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited (SRA) is the regulator of solicitors and organisations providing legal services – both solicitor firms and other bodies licensed under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA) – the people employed within those firms and bodies, and law firms in England and Wales. We sit within The Law Society Group as a separate company limited by guarantee; we have our own governance arrangements and operate independently. We regulate in the public interest, protecting members of the public, supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. We do this by overseeing all the education and training requirements necessary to enter the profession and practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards.
4
We operate within a statutory
framework provided by
the Solicitors Act 1974, the Our 2020–23 Corporate
Administration of Justice Act Strategy sets out three
1985 and the LSA. We also strategic priorities:
operate within the framework
provided by General Regulations • Objective one – We will
(which set out the relationship set and maintain high
between us and The Law professional standards for
Society) and by formal guidance solicitors and law firms as
in accordance with the rules the public would expect
and guidance provided by the and ensure we provide
oversight regulator, the Legal an equally high level of
Services Board (LSB). Together, operational service.
the statutory framework
• Objective two – We will
provides that we must have
actively support the
regard to and act in a way that
adoption of legal technology
is compatible with the need to:
and other innovation that
• protect and promote the helps to meet the needs
public interest of the public, business
community, regulated
• support the constitutional entities and the economy.
principle of the rule of law
• Objective three – We
• improve access to justice will continually build
our understanding of
• protect and promote the
emerging opportunities
interests of consumers
and challenges for the
• promote competition in the legal sector and our role in
provision of legal services effectively regulating it.
• encourage an independent,
strong, diverse and effective
legal profession
• increase public understanding
of the citizen's legal rights and
duties
• promote and maintain the
professional principles
• make sure that best regulatory
practice is adopted.
5
Structure, governance
and management
of the SRA
Our work is overseen by a
Board, currently consisting of
11 members – six lay people
and five solicitors. From 1
January 2022 we will reduce the
size of the Board to nine - five
lay people and four solicitors.
Since January 2015, our Board
has been chaired by one of
the lay members, in line with
the requirement for a lay chair
introduced by the oversight
regulator, the LSB, in 2014.
The Board is supported
by our chief executive and
senior management team,
and is helped in its work
by committees chaired
by Board members.
6
The role
As a formally appointed
company director, you
will be a member of
the Board of Solicitors
Regulation Authority Key responsibilities
Limited (Board member).
Board members should The key responsibilities of appropriate focus on equality,
at all times have regard Board members are to: diversity and inclusion (EDI)
to their obligations as issues
directors of the SRA in line • contribute to setting the SRA’s
strategic direction, bringing • take an active part in Board
with relevant legislation and
knowledge and expertise to and committee meetings and
the Articles of Association.
Board discussions, and work effectively with the
Board members can demonstrating an Executive
be appointed for up understanding of the SRA’s
• participate in induction,
to four years, with a functions and the wider
training and appraisal
possible extension to a regulatory and political
processes
maximum of six years. environment
• act as an ambassador for the
The role of Board members • hold the Executive to account
SRA, representing its views
is to work collectively for the management and
and interests externally
to effectively discharge performance of the
the Board’s functions. organisation • uphold the principle of
corporate responsibility for
• make sure that issues are
Board and committee
explored from a range of
decisions.
viewpoints, and with
7
Person
specification
Background and experience Skills and attributes
Our new solicitor Board They should also have deep • Political acumen with the
members should have: knowledge, understanding and ability to grasp relevant
experience of one or more of: issues and understand the
• previous experience of relationships between
working with a Board and • senior management in a City interested parties.
familiarity with complex or other large law firm (ideally
governance structures, or at Managing or Senior Partner • The analytical ability and
evidence of the ability to learn level) judgement required to
to do so assimilate a range of
• providing legal services in perspectives and evidence
• evidence of achievement in Wales, with an understanding and absorb complex
organisations of a similar scale of national structures and the information to reach
and complexity, including the legal sector across the country reasoned and robust
ability to make a strong as a whole conclusions, in a technically
personal contribution complex sector.
• providing legal services in
• the ability to think strategically England or Wales through less • Excellent engagement and
and to contribute to strategic traditional business models communication skills with a
development in different such as an alternative business wide range of audiences.
contexts structure (ABS), accounting
firm, or digital services • A commitment to promoting
• a demonstrable commitment a culture of accountability,
provider.
to EDI and an understanding of transparency, openness and
this in practice. At least one of the successful debate in all that the Board
candidates must be actively does; consistent with the
The postholder must
practising as a solicitor. principles of public life.
demonstrate a high standard
of professional and personal • A well-established profile
conduct and should particularly and reputation in their field.
note the requirement to
declare any conflict of
interest that may arise.
8
Eligibility criteria
To be an effective regulator, and • whether you have had a court
to maintain public confidence judgment made against you
in the profession, we must
earn and retain the trust and • anything that you believe is
confidence of the public and relevant to consideration.
the profession. That means that
Disclosure of criminal convictions
those who hold appointments
and cautions is governed by
on the Board must maintain the
the Rehabilitation of Offenders
highest standards of personal
Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order
and professional behaviour.
1975 (as amended). For a guide
Accordingly, we have to assess
on the matters that should be
whether there is anything in
declared, please see the Good
your past conduct or current
Character Guidance available
circumstances that would affect
from the Judicial Appointments
your eligibility to hold office.
Commission. Failure to
disclose any material matter
Please therefore declare:
will normally have an adverse
• whether you have been effect on your application.
committed to prison in any
You also agree to the SRA
civil or criminal proceeding
carrying out checks into any
• whether you have any criminal past or current findings or
convictions (other than minor investigations relating to
road traffic offences for which professional misconduct, if it
no custodial sentence was is deemed necessary as part
given) of the recruitment process.
• whether, to the best of your
knowledge, you are under
investigation in respect of
professional misconduct or
under criminal investigation
9
Terms of
appointment
The remuneration is £12,500 per
annum. Reasonable expenses
properly incurred in carrying
out the role will be paid.
The time commitment is such
time as the role reasonably
requires, subject to a minimum
commitment of 20 days per
year. The Board currently
meets eight times a year
(approximately every six
weeks) and directors are also
expected to attend some
committee meetings and events
with external stakeholders.
Our main office is in
Birmingham, and we also
have an office in London and
a presence in Cardiff. We have
a mix of virtual and face-to-
face meetings at both sites,
and occasionally elsewhere
in England and Wales.
The initial term will be for a
period of two or three years,
with one member taking office
from 1 January 2022 and one
from 1 September 2022.
10
How to apply
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is The closing date for The opportunity to talk to
acting as an employment applications is noon on the Chair and/or the Chief
agency adviser to the SRA Thursday 07 October 2021. Executive will be made
on this appointment. available to those candidates
If you are unable to apply shortlisted for interview.
Candidates should apply for through the website, please
this role through its website email belinda.beck@saxbam.
at www.saxbam.com/jobs com quoting reference QAFAY.
using the code QAFAY.
Click on the ‘apply’ button and
follow the instructions to upload
a CV and supporting statement
(maximum two pages) that
outlines your interest in our
organisation and role, and your
fit against the criteria outlined
in this pack. Please complete
the application and equal
opportunities monitoring form*.
* The equal opportunities monitoring form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application.
Please complete as part of the application process.11
Equal
opportunities Equality, diversity and inclusion are central
to everything we do, both externally and
within the SRA. We know a fully diverse legal
sector is important for the users of legal
services, for wider public confidence and of
course for all those who work in the sector.
We know that we have a leadership role in
demonstrating diversity in action, and that
we are a better organisation because of it.
We value, respect and celebrate diversity in
our workplace and the benefit it brings to our
culture and how we work as an organisation.
You can find information about our EDI
work here and our annual report on
the profile of our workforce here.
We are an equal opportunities employer
and positively encourage applications from
suitably qualified and eligible candidates,
regardless of gender, race, disability,
age, sex, sexual orientation, gender
reassignment, religion or belief, marital
status, or pregnancy and maternity.
We are positive about recruiting people
with disabilities and have the Disability
Confident accreditation. We are a
recognised Stonewall Diversity Champion
and a member of the Employers Network
for Equality and Inclusion. Please see
our website for further information.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme
for disabled people (as defined in the
Equality Act 2010) who meet the essential
criteria for this appointment as outlined in
the Person Specification. Applicants who
wish to apply for consideration under this
scheme should make that clear on the
equal opportunities monitoring form.
Please contact Saxton Bampfylde
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