19 November 2008
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, has appointed Julian Lee to the Legal Services Commission for three years from 1 November 2008.
Mr Lee has extensive organisational and financial experience from 25 years in the private sector. He also brings board level executive and non-executive experience. He was an international tax partner at Arthur Andersen and is currently chair of the sole commissioning-only Primary Care Trust in England.
Jack Straw said:
'I am delighted that Julian Lee has accepted the appointment to the Commission. The Commission is implementing a major programme of reforms to ensure a sustainable legal aid scheme for the future. This contributes to the government's programme to reform the justice system as a whole. The experience of the new Commissioner will be invaluable in helping the Commission to achieve its goals.'
The appointment is made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.
Notes to editors
1. Julian Lee brings extensive organisational, operational and financial experience from 25 years in the private sector. He started his career as an accountant with Arthur Andersen, and became an international tax partner. He then moved to British & Commonwealth Holdings plc (a FTSE 100 company) as joint Managing Director to run its existing non-financial service businesses before leading the management buyout of these businesses in Bricom. He joined Carpetland Ltd as chairman, prior to its acquisition of Allied Carpets Group plc.
2. He holds various non-executive director roles including with the Financial Ombudsman Service, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and as chair of Brighton & Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust.
3. Remuneration for the appointment is £10,713, with an expected time commitment of 30 days per year. Travel and subsistence expenses are also reimbursed.
4. The Legal Services Commission is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and is accountable to the Lord Chancellor. In addition to the Chair, Sir Bill Callaghan, there are currently eleven Commissioners. The Chief Executive, Carolyn Regan, is responsible to the Commissioners and is currently supported by four Executive Directors. The Legal Services Commission runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales, ensuring fair access to justice for those who could not otherwise afford it. Working in partnership with solicitors' firms, barristers and advice agencies, it ensures that some of society's most vulnerable people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of problems.