The Legal Services Board (LSB) has appointed Richard Orpin (pictured) as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Orpin joined the LSB in 2023 as director of regulation and policy and has almost 20 years of experience in regulation and government. He has been interim chief executive at the LSB since summer 2025.
The appointment was made following an open recruitment process, the LSB said.
Catherine Brown, LSB interim chair, said of the appointment:
“I am delighted to confirm Richard’s appointment as our permanent CEO, following a thorough and highly competitive recruitment process that attracted a strong field of candidates.
“The appointment was based on the qualities of principled leadership, strategic capability, and a clear vision for the LSB’s future that Richard demonstrated through the process.
“As interim CEO, Richard has led the organisation with distinction, ensuring that the LSB retains an unrelenting focus on the regulatory objectives. On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Richard on his appointment. We look forward to continuing to work with him as the LSB enters its next phase.”
“I am honoured to be asked to lead the LSB at such an important moment for the sector,” Orpin said.
“Working with our talented people, I will pursue our ambition to ensure regulation delivers better outcomes for the public, strengthens standards, and supports innovation that widens access to legal services. When legal services work well, society works better.
“While the challenges facing the sector are real and require continued perseverance to be overcome, the opportunity before us is also significant. I look forward to working with colleagues across the sector to make meaningful progress and to help ensure that everyone can access high‑quality legal services that meet their needs.”
Before joining the LSB, Orpin spent almost a decade at Ofcom, where he worked on competition and consumer policy in telecoms, postal services and the broadcasting & media sectors. He previously worked at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, including as head of domestic gambling policy.
Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans said of Orpin’s appointment:
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Richard as he takes up this role on a permanent basis at a critical time for the legal profession.
“Following the oversight regulator’s independent reviews of the Axiom Ince and SSB Group collapses, the LSB has an important role to play into helping to restore consumer and solicitors’ trust and confidence in the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Richard on behalf of the profession.”
