John Wood is to act as interim chair of the Charity Commission from today until a new chair takes up the post in the autumn.

Dame Suzi Leather, the current Commission chair, officially stepped down yesterday upon completion of her second and final period of appointment.

Wood, who joined the Commission board as a trustee in February 2008, is one of its two legally-qualified members. He is a consultant with Herbert Smith LLP, having been a partner of the firm for 25 years and headed up its Trust and Charities practice.

Following his appointment, Wood said: "I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to provide some continuity in the leadership of the Commission at a challenging time when the organisation is continuing the bedding-in of the major changes following our Strategic Review and is considering its response to Lord Hodgson's review of the 2006 Act."

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office said in a statement that the recruitment of a new chair is "progressing well".

“The preferred candidate will be announced in due course, and is expected to appear before the Public Administration Select Committee for a pre-appointment hearing in September,” the Office said.

The Cabinet Office has further announced that Sharmila Nebhrajani and Simon Wethered have been re-appointed as Charity Commission board members until 31 March 2013, "to provide continuity at a time of change for the Charity Commission and to enable the new chair, once appointed, to be involved in the recruitment of new board members".