Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has announced strategic expansion plans for the next three years following the appointment of Jonathan Forrester as the firm’s new managing director.

Mr Forrester took over the reins yesterday, replacing fellow director Karen Blair, who becomes chairman after a six-year stint at the helm. The managing director role is rotated among current directors.

Mr Forrester has worked at the firm since 1999, having joined the firm as a QUB graduate. He was admitted as a solicitor in 2001, became a partner in 2008 and a director on the firm’s incorporation in 2011.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr Forrester said: “I am very proud to become Managing Director of this excellent firm, and to be taking over from Karen who has led us so well over the past six years.

“We are a forward looking business, constantly evolving to service our ever-changing market. We have made some recent highly experienced additions to our team, and this trend will continue as we execute our plans in the coming months and years.

“With this solid team of talent, our business will continue to grow, for the benefit of clients and indeed for the wider business community.”

He added: “We are currently exploring the possibility of launching a number of new services for our clients.

“We have put in place a market-leading commercial team to help our clients navigate their way through the challenges BREXIT will bring over the next few years and to ensure they are best-placed to exploit the opportunities that will present themselves.”

The confirmation of the new managing director follows the recent appointment of Hilary Griffith as head of corporate.