Newcastle firm Robert Muckle has shaken up its management, with managing partner Ian Gilthorpe and senior partner Hugh Welch swapping roles.

The changes will take effect from the end of March. Welch, senior partner at the firm since 1997, will take over the managing partner role for five years, while Gilthorpe, who has been managing partner for 15 years, becomes senior partner. The decision was made in an uncontested vote on 12 January.