The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has appointed non-solicitor Enid Rowlands as its chair from the start of next year, when incumbent Charles Plant's four year term comes to a close.

Rowlands (pictured), who was appointed to the SRA board in 2013, will become the first non-lawyer to lead the organisation's decision-making body.

She is currently UK chair of the charity Victim Support, and has held roles with a range of public sector organisations such as the North Wales Police Authority, North Wales Health Authority and the Training Standards Council.

The three-year appointment was made by an independent panel chaired by former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Elizabeth Filkin.

"There is much for the organisation to do to continue the programme of modernisation and liberalisation on which it has embarked," said Rowlands. "I have every confidence that it will be successful in delivering this programme and the benefits that it is designed to achieve."

Plant, who joined the SRA in 2010, was formerly a partner at legacy Herbert Smith.

"Enid brings a wealth of experience from her roles in the public and voluntary sectors, and has an excellent understanding of regulation in the legal services market through her membership of the SRA Board," he said.

"I look forward to working closely with her over the coming months to ensure a smooth and successful transition."