Midlands firm Browne Jacobson has appointed a new managing partner to replace former boss Brian Smith.

The Birmingham and Nottingham-based firm promoted Iain Blatherwick, head of business services, to be the firm’s new managing partner. Mr Blatherwick replaces Brian Smith, the firm’s managing partner since 2001, who will return to his former role as head of the firm’s planning practice.

The company have promoted six people from their Victoria Square office. The four new partners and two associates will take up their posts with effect from May 1, 2009. The new promotions, alongside the six lateral partner hires made in the last 12 months across the firm, brings the total partnership to 69, a record number for the firm.

Mr Blatherwick said: “I am proud to take on the role of leading this firm, which has already accomplished so much. I am keen to ensure that we continue to invest and further strengthen our foothold in the West Midlands. I look forward to working closely with all my colleagues to drive the firm forward in what is an increasingly competitive and fast paced market.

“Brian’s contribution over the last eight years has been truly excellent. He has played a pivotal role in transforming the business and will be a hard act to follow.”

During his tenure Brian Smith orchestrated expansion plans which saw the firm’s turnover double in eight years. When he was appointed managing partner in 2001 Browne Jacobson had an annual turnover of £18 million and employed around 400 people. Today it employs more than 500 employees and last year posted a record £35 million turnover.

Among his other achievements was the firm’s creation of a full service office of over 100 people in Birmingham and most recently the strengthening of the firm’s London office with a move to the City of London, a new corporate identity and a plethora of industry awards and accolades for the firm including Best Managed Firm awarded by the European Managing Partners Forum and the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For.

Mr Smith said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve this firm for eight years as its managing partner. Browne Jacobson has a confident future and these latest promotions epitomise the hard work, talent and exceptional commitment to customer service we have become synonymous with as a law firm. Iain was the unanimous choice of the partnership.”