CILEX appoints new president and CEO amid leadership transformation

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CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) has appointed leading NHS lawyer Sara Fowler as its 62nd president, and former Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) CEO, Jennifer Coupland, as its new CEO. Fowler began her term on 16 July 2025, succeeding from Foot Anstey LLP partner Yanthé Richardson, while Coupland will replace current CEO Craig Hamer in September.

Fowler is the head of clinical services at Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust. She also co-leads the covid-19 inquiry team for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust. She qualified as a chartered legal executive at Hill Dickinson LLP through the firm’s graduate apprenticeship scheme, specialising in clinical negligence, and also worked at NHS Resolution.

Fowler highlighted that CILEX represents “a profession that rewards resilience, opens doors and sees talent for what it is, not where it comes from”. She stated: “I am so proud to lead our institute at a time when the work we do – for equity, for modernisation, for recognition – is more important than ever.”

Fowler, who grew up in the care system and left school with no qualifications, described the unconventional start to her career: “At 18, I was a single mum living in a hostel with very little support, but I knew I wanted more. I started from scratch at college, eventually gaining a law degree before beginning my career as a paralegal in a City firm. Studying with CILEX alongside full-time work allowed me to qualify as a lawyer and get where I am today.”

Meanwhile, Coupland will bring her experiences in the education, training and skills sector to her new role as CEO. At IfATE, Coupland was responsible for setting quality standards for apprenticeships and technical qualifications for careers across the economy. She has worked with employers and professional bodies to create more than 700 apprenticeships, launched and grew the T-level qualification programme, and improved the quality of higher technical qualifications.  

Speaking on the importance of diversity in the legal profession, Coupland said: “CILEX plays a critical role in the legal profession, widening access to justice, and opening careers in law to people from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout my career in education, I have been committed to championing talent over tradition and carving out alternative routes to skilled jobs and professional careers.”

CILEX Chair Eileen Milner praised both appointments: “I am pleased to welcome Sara and Jennifer to their new roles at an important time for CILEX, as we look to build on our proud history, support our members to thrive in their careers, drive change in the sector and grow our reach and impact.”