Clyde & Co's longstanding senior partner Michael Payton is set to step down after nearly 30 years at the helm, with the firm opening the election process to find his successor. 

Clydes officially kicked off the election process today (30 November) with partners given until early in the New Year to put themselves forward. 

Payton (pictured) will not stand again and will instead take up a newly created position as chairman when his term comes to an end on 1 November 2013.