Pinsent Masons' Leeds chief Nigel McClea has announced that he is to step down as head of the office, with property partner Mark Owen set to take the helm in the city.

McClea will step down in October after six years in the role of Leeds office head, but will remain at the firm in a consultant capacity.

He will also retain an active role as chair of Marketing Leeds – the city's strategic marketing organisation – as well as his other commitments with the Chamber of Commerce, Leeds Ahead, Leeds Legal and Opera North.

McClea joined legacy firm Simpson Curtis as a trainee in 1973, making partner five years later. He took over as national head of property at Pinsent Curtis in 1999 in the wake of the merger with Pinsent & Co, before taking the helm of Pinsents' Leeds office in 2004.

McClea will be succeeded by Owen, who took over as Leeds property head in 2004 and will continue in this role alongside his tenure as office head. Owen will also continue to head the China desk in the Leeds office.

Pinsents managing partner David Ryan commented: "We are very grateful for the significant contribution Nigel has made to the firm over such a distinguished career."

He added: "Nigel is and will obviously remain a key figure in the Leeds and Yorkshire business community and I am delighted that Pinsents will continue to benefit from his experience and contacts in these important markets."