Former Watson Burton senior partner Andrew Hoyle has re-emerged at local rival Ward Hadaway, the Newcastle firm announced today (16 April).

Hoyle, who left Watson Burton last year amid management tensions, joins Ward Hadaway this month as a partner. He has been handed an ambitious brief to repeat the expansion programme he inspired at his former firm, which included opening new offices in Leeds and the City. Partner profits at the firm also surged to £712,000 for 2005-06.