Former Addleshaw Goddard managing partner Paul Devitt and fellow Addleshaws corporate partner Richard Thomas have become the latest partners to leave the firm to join the legal arm of accountancy giant EY.

Both will move to EY at the end of May 2016 when their notice periods expire.

Devitt (pictured) and Thomas will be based in Manchester, with EY saying that it intends to "build a team around them".

The departures mirror the exit of Addleshaws corporate head Philip Goodstone, who announced he was leaving to join EY last March.

An Addleshaws spokesperson said: "After 22 years in our business, including five years as managing partner, Paul understandably feels ready for a new environment following a return in May 2014 to a full-time transactional role, and he goes with our very best wishes.

"It is always disappointing to lose talented people and we will be sorry to see Richard leave. He has been a great partner and we will miss him. The chance to build a practice in a different sphere of professional services is an attractive alternative for Richard and he goes with our best wishes."