Biddles splits top posts as Johnson bows out

BIDDLE & CO senior and managing partner Hugh Johnson has announced plans to hand over the firm's leadership to younger blood with a brief to revamp the IT system.

Johnson will relinquish his managing partner position, held since 1982, in June this year and his senior partner post in June 1996, when he will retire.

He has held both top positions since the retirement of Robert Fawssett as senior partner in 1992, but says that it is far better for the two posts to be held by different people.

Desmond O'Connell, head of corporate tax, will take over as managing partner while MBO and acquisitions specialist Martin Winter, head of the firm's company department, will become senior partner.

Johnson says the firm wants to promote younger partners with computer skills to oversee the updating of the firm's computers.

"As the transactions we handle get larger and more complex we have to make the best use of new technology, and create the necessary infrastructure to ensure a fast, quality service for clients," says Johnson.

Winter joined Biddle & Co from City firm Norton Rose in 1984. O'Connell set up the firm's corporate tax department after joining in 1980.