7 Bedford Row installs its first female head of chambers

Civil and criminal set 7 Bedford Row has elected Kate Thirlwall QC as head of chambers after the previous incumbent David Farrer QC stepped down from the role.

Thirlwall, the set's first female head, takes up the position after a period of sustained growth for the set, which has seen its turnover grow to £15.3m this year. Farrer returns to full-time practice.

"I'm delighted with the way we've developed over the past few years," Thirlwall said. "I really want to build on that."

Thirlwall's appointment as chambers head follows a stint as head of recruitment, as well as a role on the executive committee. She said continued recruitment was key to the set's future development.

"I want to recruit the best people and I want them to be happy here," she added.

Also on Thirlwall's agenda is a possible review of the chambers' management structure, including potentially instituting a set term of office for the chambers head post.7 Bedford Row is in the process of recruiting a new chief executive after Robert Graham-Campbell announced his move to Maitland Chambers in September. Thirlwall said the quality of applicants had been extremely high.