Law Society appoints Amerdeep Somal to succeed Robert Bourns as Board Chair
The Law Society of England and Wales has appointed Amerdeep Somal as its incoming Board Chair. Amerdeep will take up the role on 1 January 2024 and succeeds the current Law Society Board Chair Robert Bourns.
The Board is a key oversight body within the Law Society and is made up of Council members, senior executives and independent members, one of which is the role of Chair.
Amerdeep is the Complaints Commissioner to the financial regulators (Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulatory Authority). She is also a judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, Chief Commissioner at the Data and Marketing Commission and sits on the board of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said:
"I am delighted to welcome Amerdeep to the Law Society and look forward to working with her in the run up to her taking over the role of Chair.
“As a solicitor with extensive board experience across a range of settings, Amerdeep brings with her a depth of knowledge which will benefit our members, the solicitor profession and the public.
“I also want to thank Robert well ahead of his leaving the board, for his enormous contribution, dedication and commitment over the years, which has seen the organisation grow from strength to strength under his tenure.”
Incoming Law Society Board Chair Amerdeep Somal said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as Board Chair and look forward to working with the board, office holders and executive colleagues.
“The Law Society is a strong voice of the legal profession, and I am excited to continue to build on the excellent work the organisation does."
Current Law Society Board Chair Robert Bourns said:
“I welcome Amerdeep and am sure her experience will serve the society well. I look forward to working with her over the coming months to ensure an effective handover.
“The solicitors’ profession has a fundamentally important role in the administration of justice and the Board has an important responsibility, working with others, to ensure the Society is effective in promoting the profession at home and internationally, as one working in the public interest.”
Notes to editors
Amerdeep Somal’s appointment was approved by the Law Society’s Council on 10 May 2023. She will take up her position as Law Society’s Board Chair on 1 January 2024. Robert Bourns will remain in post until December this year.
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
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