‘On behalf of the Bar Council, I would wish to express the profession's thanks to Ruth and George for taking the BSB from set-up to full establishment. We are looking forward to the next phase of the Board's development. The BSB has made real progress under Ruth and George and has served the public interest in what has been a crucial set-up and bedding-in period. A substantial work programme is now in train covering all aspects of what makes a barrister function effectively in the public interest. Ruth has been the first lay chair of the BSB, regulating an individualistic profession and she has established clear lines upon which regulatory programmes can proceed. George has provided technical insight, and an expert knowledge of barrister regulation, as well as support to Ruth. The profession and the public owe them a debt of gratitude. Work is underway now to recruit their successors to start in 2009.’