Smee was the director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) before it joined with a collection of other trade bodies to form UK Finance last year. He took up his new role on 1 July.
He commented: “I am delighted – and honoured – to be asked to lead the CA at such an important time in the sector’s evolution.”
Alongside the appointment, the Conveyancing Association has launched a new policy and strategy board to replace its existing management committee, which will be broadly responsible for setting policy, dealing with consultation papers and the admittance of new members.
The board will be made up of no more than 15 members – 13 members of the previous committee have been appointed – and will meet approximately six times a year.
Eddie Goldsmith, outgoing chair of the Conveyancing Association and senior adviser to the new board, said that he believes much of the Association’s work in the short-term will be about facilitation and working with the government and influential stakeholders, so it is important that the trade body has the right resources in place.
He continued: “We are therefore delighted to welcome Paul Smee as our first non-executive chairman – Paul brings with him a wealth of experience and insight, and he will play a pivotal role in representing the Conveyancing Association to various stakeholders, as well as ensuring the Association is on the right track in terms of our strategy, policy, membership and future pathway.”
