Financial services firm Deloitte has appointed a new practice senior partner for its Midlands practice based in Birmingham.

Pauline Biddle will succeed Chris Loughran on February 2 after five years in the role.

Ms Biddle is a Birmingham-based corporate finance partner who joined Deloitte in London in 2002 as part of the Andersen transaction and was admitted to partnership three years later.

Her experience spans three of the firm's four service lines - audit, consulting and corporate finance - and in the last year she has led on more than 20 of the firm's highest profile deals including LDC's acquisition of Prism Medical, the Rigby Group purchase of Norwich Airport and the IPO of Mercia Technologies.

In addition to her client portfolio, she has also held a number of leadership roles including heading up the firm's national UK aerospace and defence industry group and sitting on the national corporate finance leadership team which will continue.

She said: "I have been fortunate enough to work in locations all over the world, from Melbourne to California, and yet I count this opportunity, to lead our business in a thriving and proud region, as by far the most exciting.

"In the last few weeks, Birmingham and Nottingham have been recognised as some of the strongest performing entrepreneurial cities outside of London.

"We've seen predictions of a record year for tourism with both the Rugby World Cup and Ashes coming to the region and I have seen first-hand the important role that businesses across the East and West Midlands are playing in the UK economic recovery."

Mr Loughran intends to remain in the Midlands as a vice-chairman of the UK firm and will  continue on the UK board of partners of Deloitte, having recently been re-elected to serve a third term.

He will also continue to serve as a non-executive director on the board of Marketing Birmingham and has recently been appointed chairman of the CBSO Development Trust.

He said: "I am known for my vocal and impassioned support for our city and region, which will continue, even though I am stepping down from the day-to-day running of the Deloitte business.

"At a time when we are celebrating and being acknowledged for our youthfulness, diversity and energy, I am thrilled to be able to hand over the reins to Pauline, who I know has a similar passion for serving our clients, developing our people and capitalising on the opportunities that our dynamic region offers.

"I look forward to supporting her and continuing to play my part in the development of both the Deloitte business and the regional economy."

Deloitte in the Midlands currently employs more than 700 staff across offices in Brindleyplace and Nottingham.