The managing director of a Birmingham PR agency has taken over the firm.

Jane Ainsworth has become the majority shareholder of Willoughby PR (WPR) in Edgbaston following a management buyout in an undisclosed deal.

She has worked for the business for 18 years, including two as a director and eight in her current role.

Founder and current chief executive Julia Willoughby will retain a "significant shareholding" along with deputy managing director Jo McCarthy while head of B2B Tom Leatherbarrow has joined the board.

Ms Willoughby will continue to work for the business as a director with both management and fee-earning responsibilities.

Established in 1992, Willoughby PR is one of the region's most long-standing public relations firms and has a turnover of £3.3 million and a 43-strong team.

Its client list includes Wacky Warehouse, Triton Showers, Legrand, Worcester, Bosch Group and Pyrex among others.

Ms Ainsworth said: "The last 23 years have all been good ones for the agency but we are probably proudest of our achievements in the last three in particular.

"In that time, we have delivered growth of 33 per cent and been named PR agency of the year twice. Last year, we became Google Partners and earned Bing and Yahoo accreditations."

Ms Willoughby added: "Jane and Jo have grown WPR to the sizeable agency we are today and the new share structure reflects their major contribution and commitment to the future success of the business.

"I am delighted that the new ownership secures continuity of management and to be part of such an exciting agency."

Rob Laugharne of Irwin Mitchell, Narinder Rajput of Trinity Lawyers and Neil Jones of Ansons advised on the transaction along with Rob Gunn at Crowe Clark Whitehill.