Uncertain destination for Withers' finance head

Tim Stocks, head of corporate finance at City firm Withers, has announced his departure from the firm - before securing a new post.

Stocks is in discussions with Taylor Joynson Garrett, which is also in the City, but no arrangements have been finalised. He claims not to have talked with any other firms and says no one from Withers will be leaving with him.

"It is just me. It is a personal decision," he said. "I feel the needs of my clients are more suited to TJG."

Explaining why he had given notice to Withers before making certain of a position at TJG, Stocks said: "I thought it fair to my partners to let them know. They had strategic plans coming to a head and I wanted to let them know my intentions."

Gordon Jackson, head of corporate finance at TJG, added: "We very much hope Tim will come to us but it has not yet been finalised."

Philip Hall, business development director at Withers, said: "Tim has made a significant contribution to our practice."