Welcome from Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council and Kirsty Brimelow KC, Vice Chair of the Bar Council

Dear Candidate

We are delighted at your interest in the position of Chief Executive at The General Council of the Bar (the Bar Council), and we hope you will find the information in this Candidate Brief useful alongside the content of our website www.barcouncil.org.uk.

The Bar Council is the approved regulator and the professional voice in England and Wales, representing the c.18,000 self-employed and employed barristers who make up an inclusive, independent and influential Bar. Our mission is to lead, represent and support them in the public interest and to champion the rule of law and access to justice for everyone. Our regulatory functions are delegated to the operationally independent Bar Standards Board.

The Chief Executive has a pivotal role in the Bar Council’s work, supporting our officers in strategy development and the fulfilment of our approved regulator and representative roles, and providing leadership and support to the c.90 staff employed in the Representation, Policy and Services Teams, and the Resources Group. It also carries with it a significant ambassadorial role with a wide range of stakeholders that includes government ministers and departmental agencies; the Legal Services Board (LSB); the four Inns of Court; the six geographical circuits across England and Wales; and the wider membership of barristers. The Chief Executive is also the accounting officer and responsible for overseeing the budget and the annual report and accounts.

This an excellent opportunity for an experienced and versatile senior leader to lead a high profile, complex, and multi-faceted organisation, with a highly committed profession and staff.

If this role interests you, we would welcome your application - details on how to apply are contained in this brief. If you have any further questions about the role please contact our recruitment partner Sarah Thewlis for a confidential conversation.

Her email is applications@thewlisgraham.com

Yours sincerely,
Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Vice Chair of the Bar Council