Mayfair property specialist Forsters has appointed Sophie Hamilton as senior partner as David Willis steps down to return to client work.

Hamilton will be senior partner from 1 November when Willis hands over the role after three years. Paul Roberts will remain as managing partner.

Hamilton was one of the founding partners of Forsters, which was formed in 1998 by 12 partners, 11 of whom came from the defunct Frere Cholmeley Bischoff. Hamilton had been a partner with Frere Cholmeley since1985 and head of property between 1991 and 1994.

Hamilton will continue to work full time on her client work after she takes over the senior partner role.

She specialises in acquisitions and disposals, funding and development agreements for clients that include Clerical Medical. She also handles major relocations and also acts for a number of charitable trusts in relation to their property portfolios.

Forsters has hired two new partners in the past six months. In April it hired Ashurst Morris Crisp head of planning Michael Cunliffe and last month it hired the residential property specialists Beverley Lewis from Taylor Joynson Garrett.

Since joining the firm Cunliffe has been instructed by three new clients for the firm, Grainger Trust, Gloucester City Council and British Waterways Board.

Hamilton said: "David has done an excellent job in establishing Forsters as a leading practice in its chosen areas of focus and guiding the firm through its first three exciting and rewarding years. I am looking forward to the challenge of overseeing the further enhancement of the firm's reputation."

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