The appointment is the culmination of a nearly three decade career at Lovewell Blake for Mr Watson, who joined the firm in 1995, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1997.
He was appointed a partner in the firm in 2004, and is currently a corporate services partner, acting for a wide range of corporate clients involved in manufacturing, distribution, professional services, retail, creative, real estate and construction.
He is the UK representative member of the Audit Committee of HLB International, a global advisory and accounting network.
Mr Watson said, “It is a huge honour to be chosen by my fellow partners to take on the senior partner role. My business ethos has always been based on client service, and as senior partner I will be focussing on ensuring that we maintain and improve the high levels of service we offer our clients.
“As part of this, I will continue to support my own portfolio of clients; I believe it is very important that the leader of any business is involved at the ‘sharp end’, and stays engaged with clients.”
Mr Watson will work alongside managing partner Kevin Bunting, who took on that role in 2021.Mr Proctor will continue as a partner in the firm, leading the firm’s specialist Charities and Schools team.