East Anglian accountancy firm Larking Gowen has named Jonathan Woolston as managing partner.

He takes the reins from Bob Rose, who will stay on in the role until December 31. Rose will continue to be an active partner of the firm and is looking forward to becoming more involved in the day to day affairs of his clients and helping to continue developing the Norfolk, suffolk and Essex practice.

Having qualified as a chartered accountant in 1984, Woolston was admitted to the partnership in 1993 and has since been based in the Norwich office.

He has spent most of his professional career advising owner-managed businesses as well as dealing with a number of large corporate audits.

Since 1988 he has also been responsible for developing a specialism in advising professional practices, particularly solicitors’ practices. He carries out expert witness work and is a founding member of the Expert Witness Institute.

He said: “I am greatly looking forward to my new role. The firm has expanded and progessed under the leadership of Bob Rose for the last 15 years and I look forward to continuing the development of the firm across East Anglia.”

Rose added: “My period as managing partner has been an exciting time in the development of the firm. It now has 20 partners and nine offices across East Anglia and is proud to be one of the founder members of MHA, a group of independent chartered accountants, with offices across the UK and, through its membership of Morison International, representation across the world.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Jon Woolston, centre, with Bob Rose, left, and Larking Gowen chairman David Whitehead.