The Legal Services Board (LSB) today announces that Richard Orpin has been appointed its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The Board appointed Richard following an open recruitment process. Richard joined the LSB in 2023 as Director, Regulation and Policy, and has nearly 20 years’ experience in regulation and in government.
Commenting on the appointment, Catherine Brown, Interim Chair of the Legal Services Board, said:
“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.”
Richard Orpin said:
“I am honoured to be asked to lead the LSB at such an important moment for the sector. 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.”
About Richard Orpin
Before joining the LSB, Richard spent just under a decade at Ofcom, where he worked on competition and consumer policy in telecoms, postal services and the broadcasting & media sectors. Prior to that, he worked at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, including as Head of Domestic Gambling Policy. Richard holds an MSc in Public Policy and Management.
Richard has been the LSB’s Interim Chief Executive since the summer of 2025.