Boyes Turner partner Adrian Desmond has been elected as chairman of the Forum of Complex Injury ­Solicitors (Focis). He replaces Richard Vallance of Charles Russell, who has held the role since 2007.

Desmond said: “The forum will continue to ­promote excellence in personal injury [PI] ­practice by sharing experience among its members and expressing informed views among the wider personal injury world.”

Focis was set up in 1997 to promote better high ­standards in PI claims and to allow members to share ­knowledge and expertise. Desmond will serve a two-year term.