Lay Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) administers an independent ombudsman scheme that resolves complaints by consumers about legal services, which underpins public confidence in legal services across England and Wales. 

This is a critically important time to join the OLC. We face difficult challenges in improving our performance to rebuild the confidence of stakeholders and consumers, but the journey towards excellence has already started. Our leadership team is being restructured, the service delivery model is being revisited, and there are plans to invest more in the OLCs role raising standards across the sector. 

This takes place against the backdrop of Covid-19, which has impacted our operations at a time of rising consumer demand for legal services in some areas. There is an opportunity to rebuild confidence of consumers and stakeholders, and building on early progress, we are ambitious about radically changing customer experience in the future. In that context, we are now looking for a new lay Member to join the OLCs Board. 

As a Member, you will have a key role in setting strategic direction and driving performance at the Ombudsman, and this individual will also chair the OLC Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. The LSB and OLC want to explore the widest possible pool of talent, and applications are encouraged from all sections of the community. 

Candidates should be supportive and collaborative team-players, with the ability to constructively challenge and show independence of view. They should also bring corporate governance knowledge, gained through non-executive experience. Financial management experience, and expertise in audit, risk management, and assurance are critical, and prior experience of operating on an audit committee is highly desirable. 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Legal Services Board on this appointment.  For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference ALSG.  Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours).  Applications should be received by noon on 22 July.