18 January 2010 - LSB Chief Executive accepts chairmanship of Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum sub-group

"The legal profession and the legal services industry have been among the leaders in opening up entry opportunities to people from the widest range of backgrounds. There is a general recognition, however, that more needs to be done to consolidate this progress, in particular in relation to more visible and fair routes to work placements and internships and to make similar headway on progression and retention.

That’s why the Legal Services Board, as the new oversight regulator for the legal professions as a whole, welcomes the Government’s commitment in establishing the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum and the participation of many of the bodies we oversee in its work.

This is also why I have been pleased to accept the chairmanship of a sub-group of the Forum that will examine how regulators can embed diversity into their strategy and reporting. In view of the priority placed on the role of strategic planning in ensuring access to a diverse legal profession, this is an area in which the legal profession will have experiences to share.”