Law firm Gateley has installed its new chief executive as long-serving incumbent Michael Ward steps down.
Rod Waldie has taken over the top job at the Birmingham-headquartered practice but Mr Ward will remain in situ as an executive board member with responsibility for the group's non-legal consulting businesses
Mr Waldie was previously senior office partner in the Manchester office and head of the national property team and has been on the listed group’s board since Gateley bought out part of the Manchester office of Halliwells in 2010.
The practice first announced its succession plan last summer.
Founded as a law firm in Birmingham in 1808, Gateley now runs several separate professional services divisions across the group encompassing legal, property, financial and business psychology.
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Mr Ward joined the firm in 1987 and led its flotation on AIM in 2015.
Chairman Nigel Payne said: "The board's firm decision to make an internal succession appointment to allow for an orderly and seamless handover has never seemed more important.
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"I believe it is a considerable comfort for all stakeholders of the group to know that, in such challenging times, we have an experienced, trusted and familiar hand in Rod Waldie who is taking over executive responsibility for the business as well as retaining the skills and experience of Mike Ward on the board.
"Rod is highly successful and a well-respected colleague, who epitomises and embraces our collaborative culture, which is proving so important in the current circumstances."
Mr Waldie added: "On behalf of all my colleagues at Gateley, I wish to thank Mike for his guidance and wisdom during the handover period.
"We are delighted he has chosen to remain with the group with his focus centred on our non-legal consulting businesses.
"I am taking on this role in unprecedented times but have held senior management roles in Gateley for ten years and have a thorough understanding of the business, which is well capitalised, balanced and resilient."