Ms Wood has over 25 years’ experience in the legal sector and significant experience in risk and compliance, people leadership and change management.

She has worked in various risk and compliance roles over the last 15 years, including as director of risk & knowledge at HBJ Gateley. Most recently she was client & legal project management lead with Pinsent Masons Edinburgh.

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society, said: “I am delighted that Rachel is joining the Society as our next Executive Director of Regulation. In a strong pool of candidates Rachel impressed the panel with her enthusiasm and the depth and breadth of her knowledge of regulation of the legal profession both her in Scotland and in England and Wales.

“Welcoming a new colleague into the organisation in the current circumstances is a challenge, but one which I know staff at the Law Society are more than up to meeting. Their continued commitment and resilience while we have been working from home makes me very proud. I know that they will offer Rachel the same warm and supportive welcome from a socially safe distance as they would if we were all working in the same office again.

“The impact of the coronavirus outbreak and restrictions is being felt across the legal profession. At the moment we do not know what the long-term picture will look like, but the Law Society will continue to take a leading role in emphasising the importance of sustaining a strong legal profession which supports individuals, families and businesses as we recover from this time. I am confident that Rachel will be a valuable addition to the Law Society’s senior leadership team as we face the challenges still to come.”

Ms Wood said: “I am excited to be joining the Law Society of Scotland as the new Executive Director of Regulation. As a Scottish solicitor and as a previous volunteer I know the value of the Society’s position to give a voice to the profession and ensure that we continue to deliver the effective regulation of excellent legal services which the people of Scotland rightly demand, and I am pleased to be a part of that.”