The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has appointed barrister Paul Philip as its next chief executive.

Mr Philip is currently the deputy chief executive and chief operating officer of the General Medical Council, the regulator of the UK’s medical profession. He will join the SRA, which is based at The Cube in Birmingham, in February next year.

Charles Plant, chair of the SRA board, said: “Paul has a wealth of experience in public interest regulation relating to the provision of professional services, which will be brought to bear on the opportunities and challenges facing the SRA as it moves to the next stage in our development. We are fortunate to have secured his services.”

Mr Philip said: “I am delighted to be joining the SRA at this key time and look forward to building on the considerable strengths and achievements of the organisation to date.”

Before being appointed to his current role, Mr Philip led the GMC’s medical ethics and disciplinary functions. He radically reformed the GMC’s disciplinary work, ensuring the organisation achieved challenging operational targets and introduced wide-ranging changes in cultural.

He also led the development of the GMC’s in-house legal team, delivering multiple six figure savings for the organisation. The team now deals with all investigation and litigation work on behalf of the council.