The new broom wielded by SRA chief executive Sarah Rapson is sweeping in some impressive-sounding new hires. In October, Alan Evans joins as the regulator’s new executive director, general counsel, risk and compliance. Meanwhile, Kate O’Neill has taken on the new post of executive director, communications and external affairs. 

Both seem to know their way around government and the City. Evans is currently general counsel and director general of the legal group at HM Revenue & Customs. Before working in government, he practised commercial litigation in the City. Evans is a past member of the Law Society’s European Committee. 

O’Neill, also a solicitor, was director of stakeholder engagement and corporate affairs at the Financial Reporting Council, charged with delivering an ‘integrated strategic stakeholder engagement function’.

Next up in the drive to transform the SRA into ‘a modern, proportionate regulator’ will be the appointment of executive directors of supervision, and market risk, data and insight. 

Of course, the acid test will be who succeeds chair Anna Bradley, who is due to move on in December after eight, ahem, eventful years. Perhaps one of our many former lord chancellors will be looking for a new challenge? Obiter reckons 15 are still with us, though some are admittedly getting on a bit.