Charles Russell has unveiled solid financial results for 2012-13 as the firm pulls together a new management line-up in the wake of senior partner Patrick Russell's retirement.

The UK top 50 firm saw fee income rise 1% during the year to almost £69m, with profits per equity partner up 7% to around £300,000.

Meanwhile, private client partner Christopher Page – who has been with the firm since 1997 – has been appointed to succeed Russell as senior partner, with corporate and commercial partner Keir Gordon named deputy senior partner. Both men's terms will run for three years from 1 May. 

The firm has also shaken up its management board, with Page taking over as chair from Mike Scott, who has stepped down to focus on his role as head of the charities sector. 

Partners Clive Hopewell and Adrian Mayer have been voted onto the board, taking total membership to eight, alongside chief operating officer Andy Staite and partners David Green, Erica Shelton, John Sykes and Gordon.

The firm has also made up one new partner, with contentious trusts and estates lawyer Roberta Harvey promoted in London, taking total partner count to 93. A further five partners have been promoted to full equity.

Page told Legal Week: "Our size allows us to change direction and pick up on new ideas. We have many excellent new partners coming through, enabling us to look at new markets, open new offices and push into new areas of law."

The news comes after managing partner James Holder stepped down in 2011 in an overhaul that saw the firm ditch the managing partner role in favour of a COO.