Overview - The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) exists to help its members fight for the rights of injured people. Founded in April 1990 by a group of barristers and solicitors who wished to improve the services provided for victims of personal injury, today APIL has grown to become the trusted organisation in the promotion, encouragement and development of expertise in personal injury law. APIL has been fighting for the rights of injured people for 20 years. A Company Limited by Guarantee / Not-for-Profit campaign organisation, APIL’s 4,700 member lawyers (mainly solicitors, barristers and legal executives) are dedicated to changing the law, protecting and enhancing access to justice, and improving the services provided for victims of personal injury. Over the years APIL has grown to become the leading, most respected organisation in this field, constantly working to promote and develop expertise in the practise of personal injury law, for the benefit of injured people.
The Challenge - The recruitment of a new Chief Executive presented a daunting prospect to APIL given that the incumbent at the time had been in post 18 years. This combined with a recognition that whilst there remained a need to focus clearly on core activities and the financial implications of what they were able to offer and how, the organisation had to look to the longer term and face the challenges presented by: the ongoing economic difficulties; the changing personal injury market; the impact of the associated reform agendas of the new Coalition Government; and the changes driven by generational needs and technology. Veredus was chosen to conduct this assignment given its track record of specialism across both the public and private sectors, operating as it often does at the commercial cusp between the two.
The Solution - The search conducted by Veredus was extensive and covered organisations (of comparable size / constitution) across Private, Public or Not-for-Profit sectors. APIL sought an individual who had demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities having successfully led an organisation through a period of significant challenge and resulting change. Commitment, energy and passion to champion the organisation and it causes were high on the personal skills agenda. On the 6th June 2011 it was announced the Deborah Evans former CEO Legal Complaints Commission (LCC) had been appointed as the new Chief Executive of APIL. Prior to LCC, Deborah had spent eight years as practice director of a law firm with a personal injury practice. APIL president, David Bott, said he was delighted to have someone of Deborah’s calibre in the chief executive’s role. “I know she will be a great asset to APIL as we continue our work to keep injured people at the forefront of any changes to the legal system.”