The outgoing chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has offered an apology for mistakes of recent years as the groundwork is made on finding her replacement.
Anna Bradley will reach the planned end of her tenure at the end of this year, bringing to a close almost eight years as the head of the organisation.
During the last three years in particular, the SRA has been beset by a number of issues, including the damning reports into its handling of Axiom Ince and SSB Law, expensive costs orders for failed prosecutions and most recently the announcement that fees would have to rise significantly.
Bradley remained in post while former chief executive Paul Philips stepped down last year, and she has remained steadfast in the face of calls to resign for the various failings of the regulator.
As the SRA this week began its formal process to find a successor, Bradley issued a statement which struck a repentant tone as she reflected on her tenure.
‘I have seen very significant change in the legal sector and in the resultant demands placed on the SRA,’ she said. ‘A central theme has been the need for us to focus more on firms and the way they operate in a rapidly changing legal sector to ensure that we protect consumers. This has required, and will continue to require, a rapid evolution in how we work.
‘Sometimes, we have not kept pace with the market and mistakes have been made. I am sorry these issues have had such an impact on consumers and the profession. Which is why, I have focussed on learning and creating the momentum we need to deliver the necessary change.’
Bradley had been intending to step down in 2024 but agreed to stay on for a further two years to provide ‘leadership continuity’ while the SRA dealt with the fallout from the Axion Ince matter.
She said that overseeing the appointment of Sarah Rapson to replace Philip was a key step on this path and Bradley praised the new approach taken since then. During the last eight years the SRA has also moved from a rules-based approach to a principles-based one, introduced the Solicitors Qualifying Examination and established an innovation hub to support the use of technology.
‘The SRA now has a better grip on what needs to change to make us an improved, more modern, proportionate and, ultimately, more trusted regulator,’ Bradley added. ‘This makes it the right time to start the transition to a new board chair. I believe the organisation now has the leadership, priorities, and momentum it needs for the next phase.’
The formal hiring process for the new chair is due to be concluded in the autumn with the chosen individual in post on 1 January 2027. The intention is for the new chair to take the lead in finalising a new three-year corporate strategy, which is due to be consulted on from November 2026 and launched in November 2027.
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