Eversheds Leeds and Manchester managing partner David Gray has won the race to become overall managing partner of the national giant.

Gray saw off competition from London managing partner Michael Brown, with partners being informed of the result today (2 October).

The election had initially been a three-way fight but the other contender, Birmingham senior partner Adrian Bland, last month pulled out of the race to throw his support behind Brown.

Gray, who is understood to be in favour of making changes to the firm's structure, will take over the role when current managing partner David Ansbro retires in May.

He will have the power to appoint the firm's executive committee and make sweeping management changes.

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