Orchard stays after new LSC chief delays start date

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) will find itself in limbo this spring after its new chief executive delayed her start date indefinitely, leaving Steve Orchard to retain the role, the Gazette has learned.

Clare Dodgson, currently chief operating officer at Jobcentre Plus at the Department of Work and Pensions, was announced recently as the replacement for Steve Orchard from 1 April.

However, Leigh Lewis, chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, has moved to take up the role of permanent secretary at the Home Office.

Ms Dodgson has been appointed acting chief executive.

A LSC spokesman said: 'In the light of what has happened at Jobcentre Plus, it has been agreed that Ms Dodgson will postpone her start date.

Ms Dodgson has confirmed she will take up her position at the LSC and will not apply for the post of CEO at Jobcentre Plus.

'This has all happened very quickly and she is still in the process of finalising the new start date at the LSC.

In the meantime, Steve Orchard has confirmed he will stay on beyond 1 April.'

Mr Orchard was set to retire after 14 years in the legal aid arena and was said to be looking forward to leaving his job.

Richard Miller, director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, said solicitors were keen to learn more about Ms Dodgson's approach to legal aid.

'It is unfortunate that the uncertainty continues as to when this will happen,' he said.

However, Mr Miller said he was glad that Mr Orchard was staying on to ensure there was no hiatus in the LSC's leadership.

See News, page 4 (see [2003] Gazette, 20 February)

Neil Rose