Charity Commission scoops former Herbies partner

Herbert Smith's former head of trusts and charities John Wood has been appointed to the Charity's Commission board, replacing Lindsay Driscoll.

Wood, who is currently a consultant in the trusts and charities group at Herbert Smith, will take up the position on 1 February. Having joined Herbert Smith in 1972 Wood was a partner at the firm from 1982 until earlier this year.

Charity Commission chair Suzi Leather said: "With John's appointment the commission's expanded board is now complete, meaning we are in good shape to anticipate and meet the challenges that still lie ahead. The breadth of expertise, skills and experience represented on our new board is fantastic, and crucial in enabling us to fulfil our role of increasing the effectiveness of charities."

Driscoll joined the commission in August 2003, having been a partner at specialist charity firm Sinclair Taylor & Martin (now part of Russel Cooke).

Leather said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lindsay Driscoll for her tremendous service to the commission over the last four-and-a-half years; she has played a key part in helping us prepare for and take forward our new responsibilities under the Charities Act 2006."

Wood will will sit alongside existing board members John Williams, Tess Woodcraft, Sharmila Nebhrajani, Andrew Purkis, Theo Sowa, Simon Wethered and Simon Jones.