Birmingham-based chambers St Philips has appointed Chris Owen as its new CEO, replacing Mike Kimmons.

Owen, who will join the chambers in September, has been a CEO at a commercial chancery chambers in London and a consultant to a number of leading sets for the last eight years, prior to which he was a senior clerk at 7 Bedford Row.

Kimmons leaves the chambers after joining from the Royal Navy in April 2008 where he was in charge of the naval legal division.

St Philips head of chambers James Burbidge QC commented: "Chris has been one of the most experienced and highly regarded managers of the Bar for many years. He has also held positions of responsibility in law firms, giving him a unique insight into the needs of our clients."

In May, Quadrant Chambers appointed Tim Gerrard to the newly-created role of chief executive.

Gerrard, who joined the set in March from Jersey-based trust manager Hawksford International, where he was chief operating officer, filled the new position 18 months after the early retirement of chambers director Gordon Armstrong.

Armstrong served as senior clerk and chambers director since 1984. During his time in office the set expanded from a small operation at 2 Essex Court, where it specialised in admiralty law, to a commercial chambers comprising 44 barristers at Quadrant.