News
I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA, appointed as Chair Elect of The Solicitors’ Charity
The Board of The Solicitors’ Charity is proud to announce that, following an extensive and rigorous search process, I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA, has been appointed as a trustee and Chair Elect of The Solicitors’ Charity. Stephanie will join the Board of Trustees immediately and will take on the role of Chair in March 2026.
As Shams Rahman, Outgoing Chair of The Solicitors’ Charity and Senior Equity Partner at Edwin Coe LLP, explained: “Stephanie is an extremely accomplished and high-profile solicitor and understands only too well the issues affecting our profession and how they impact on wellbeing.
The Trustees felt that she would represent the Charity superbly and help increase awareness of us, and the vital work that we do, with new audiences. As many will know, recently in her impressive career, Stephanie was President of The Law Society from March 2021 until October 2022, in a time of significant upheaval and disruption during and after the COVID pandemic. I can’t think of a better qualified person to step into these shoes when I hand over the Chair role in March 2026.”
Nick Gallagher, CEO, of The Solicitors’ Charity, concurred: “The team is delighted about this appointment and the choice of Stephanie Boyce as the Charity’s next Chair. Stephanie will be a brilliant advocate for our work, across the profession: what we can offer to solicitors in times of need and why it is more important than ever that the profession supports us in carrying out that vital work.
I would also like to acknowledge the superb job our current Chair, Shams Rahman, has done in successfully leading the Charity through the introduction and bedding in of our new strategy as we continue the significant transition to a focus on wellbeing. We now support solicitors with not only the financial pressures they may be facing, but also their emotional, professional and physical wellbeing too. Shams has been Chair during a period of unprecedented demand and growth for us as an organisation and we have been fortunate to have his wise and steady counsel and benefit from his highly collegiate approach.”
On taking up the role of Chair-Elect, I.Stephanie Boyce said: “I am delighted to be stepping into this new role and wish to express my sincere thanks to Shams Rahman for his leadership and for shaping a charity that now delivers an enviable range of wellbeing support to solicitors and their families at the moments they need it most.
Throughout my career, grounded in the principles of law, leadership and legacy, I have been privileged to use my voice to highlight the issues that matter to our profession. I believe in fostering informed debate, encouraging collaboration and working collectively to reach solutions that strengthen our legal community. I now look forward to bringing that same commitment to championing the wellbeing needs of the profession more visibly, and to raising even greater awareness of The Solicitors’ Charity across the sector.
My aim is to deepen understanding of the Charity’s vital role and to advocate for meaningful, tangible support from businesses, institutions, firms, suppliers and individuals alike.
It is an honour to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I look forward to taking up the position of Chair in March.”
