Ian Karet has been named as the interim chair of the Charity Commission.
A partner at the law firm Linklaters, he has been a member of the regulator’s board since January 2019.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said Karet would take up the interim role from tomorrow until 26 August, while the recruitment process for the next permanent chair took place.
Third Sector revealed in January that the government would appoint an interim replacement for Baroness Stowell, who announced in October that she would not be seeking a second three-year term as chair of the regulator.
Karet, who is a part-time deputy High Court judge, is a member of the Civil Justice Council and a former trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The Linklaters website says he specialises in intellectual property and technology and has a scientific background.
“I am concise, measured and always closely involved on behalf of clients in the development of any dispute resolution or transaction,” it says.
Karet said in a statement about his appointment today: “I am looking forward to working with the commission’s staff and my fellow board members as we make further progress in delivering our strategy.
“These are challenging times and it is vital that the commission continues to demonstrate both responsiveness and clarity of purpose.”
It is expected that Karet will remain on the board until at least the end of the year once a permanent chair for the regulator is found, when his initial three-year term as a commission board member expires.
The DCMS said Karet would be paid the equivalent of £37,500 a year for his time as interim chair, for working 1.5 days a week.
His term as interim chair could be extended if the search for a long-term successor takes longer than expected.