The Law Society has filled one of its key posts with the hire of Bar Standards Board (BSB) veteran Mark Stobbs as Chancery Lane's head of policy.

Stobbs, the first director of the BSB, who was instrumental in setting up the Bar Council's regulatory arm in 2006, is set to join the Law Society in March to fill the newly-extended role of legal policy director.

Stobbs takes over from Evlynne Gilvarry, who left the role last month, and will take on the newly-refocused position as part of Chancery Lane's Legal Services Act-related restructuring.

The role will see Stobbs, who will report directly to chief executive Des Hudson, responsible for developing strategies and policies.

In addition Stobbs will have overall responsibility for the formulation and development of the full spectrum of Law Society policy, ranging from issues relating to small claims and judicial appointments to the broader legislative framework for legal services.

Prior to his role as BSB director, Stobbs was a former Bar Council deputy chief executive, after joining in 1993 from the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Meanwhile, Ofcom finance director Rona Chester also joins the Law Society, taking up the role of finance director to replace Bruce Minty, who left earlier this year. Chester also takes up her new position in March.

The appointments comes as the society moves to slash its costs and separate its regulatory and representative arms to position itself for upcoming liberalisation of legal services.

Hudson commented: "Mark's expertise and drive will ensure that the society retains and extends its position as a key voice on law reform and the leading source of information and advice for solicitors."