The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has appointed officials to two newly-created roles – head of education standards and head of strategy and communications – the body announced today (13 February.)

Valerie Shrimplin – the former head of quality assurance at the Royal College of Surgeons – has been named in the head of education role, while Julie Myers, who was responsible for setting up the independent consumer panel of broadcasting regulator Ofcom – has been appointed head of strategy and communications.

Both are thought to have already begun in their new roles.

The creation of the posts continue a three-year strategic plan devised last year when the Bar Council split its regulatory and representative functions, leading to the creation of the BSB.

Commenting on the appointments, BSB director Mark Stobbs said: "I am delighted that Julie and Valerie have joined us. Both bring valuable knowledge and experience that the Bar Standards Board needs and which will help us greatly in meeting our future challenges."