ONE of Southampton's regional law firms has undergone a management reshuffle as it takes the 187-year-old business forward over the next decade.

Paris Smith & Randall, employing more than 180 people in the city, sees Richard Smith take over from Malcolm Le Bas as senior partner.

Malcolm, a well-known business figure in the city, now focuses on business development and strategic growth.

Malcolm and Richard have been senior partner and managing partner respectively for the last six years.

During that time it has doubled the number of lawyers and increased turnover from £4m to nearly £10m.

Richard is succeeded as managing partner by Nick Vaughan, while John Mansell moves to head of corporate, with Neil Davies continuing as head of private client.

Rachel Saint in commercial property and David Eminton in property litigation have been made partners.

Malcolm said "These are exciting times for the firm and it is important that we strengthen our management team to embrace our future development programme."

Big-name clients of the firm, which was founded locally in 1818, include the Saints and rival Premiership club Portsmouth, as well as Rose Bowl - which runs Hampshire's county cricket club - and the Mayflower Theatre.