Law Society looks to the future with two new senior appointments

The Law Society of Scotland has announced two senior executive appointments as it prepares to support a rapidly changing Scottish solicitor profession.

The professional body for more than 13,000 Scottish solicitors has appointed a new Executive Director of Member Experience and a new Executive Director of Operations, both of whom will take up their posts in the spring.

Jan Cutting has been appointed Executive Director of Member Experience and will join in March. Jan has spent the past six years as Director of Membership, Marketing and Communications at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and previously served as Director of Marketing at Robert Gordon University. She will lead the Society’s work to expand and enhance the services and support it provides to an increasingly diverse solicitor membership.

Jessica MacDonald has been appointed Executive Director of Operations and will join in April. Currently with SG Access Solutions in the construction sector, Jessica previously worked as Director of Business and Finance at Children’s Hearings Scotland and held senior roles within the Scottish Courts & Tribunal Service. She will oversee the Society’s HR, finance and facilities functions and spearhead its digital transformation programme.

Law Society Chief Executive Ben Kemp said: “This is an important and exciting year ahead for the Law Society. With a record number of Scottish solicitors, the profession is changing rapidly, not only in its make-up but also in its increasingly bold use of technology. We also received a significant vote of confidence from the Scottish Parliament with new legislation granting us a range of new and enhanced regulatory powers.

“Our focus now is to ensure we continue to provide services and support that offer real value to our members, while using our current and new powers to act robustly in the public interest and uphold the hard-earned reputation of Scottish solicitors.

“As we move forward in meeting these objectives, I am delighted to welcome both Jan Cutting and Jessica MacDonald as part of a major strengthening of our senior leadership team. They bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record in delivering change, including from the justice sector and another major professional body. I know both are eager to get started.”