The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has created a new senior management role which will see the body's director of policy and standards Richard Collins join its senior management team (SMT).

The role of executive director will see Collins become one of five members on the SMT and take responsibility to manage and develop regulatory policy, standards, strategy and research.

SRA chief executive Antony Townsend said the appointment had come as part of a host of policy review considerations, with the changing legal services landscape prompting the SRA to adapt the way in which it conducts its regulatory activities.

He said: "The development of regulatory policy and standards will continue to be a critical element of our work as we become a licensing authority for alternative business structures and expand our focus to include the regulation of global entities.

"Richard's appointment will complement the skills of the existing SMT members. His expertise in the legal policy arena, and knowledge of the sector, is formidable and he will make a valuable contribution to our strategic activities."

Collins (pictured) joined the SRA in September 2010, prior to which he spent 18 months as practice director at national criminal defence and human rights specialist law firm Tuckers. He was previously executive director for policy at the Legal Services Commission, during which time he worked closely with Lord Carter of Coles on his review of legal aid, and he was awarded the OBE in 2009 for services to the administration of justice.

Collins said: "2011 has seen major achievements for the organisation and I look forward to helping it ensure that the consumers of legal services benefit from our new approach to legal services regulation."

Another new role, director of organisation services, is set to be added to the SRA SMT next year. The role has been established jointly by the SRA and the Law Society to provide shared services to both organisations, with an individual yet to be made.