Chairman Peter Duff and Simon Boss

Shoosmiths has elected real estate head Simon Boss as its new chief executive, with incumbent Claire Rowe stepping down after nearly 10 years at the helm of the firm.

Boss will take up the leadership role on 1 January after being elected in a partner vote. Rowe had announced her intention to step down in September, but will remain on the firm's board in an advisory capacity.

In 2009, Rowe became Shoosmiths' first female chief executive in the firm's 170-year history, succeeding Paul Stothard.

She helped guide the firm out of a difficult post-crisis period, marshalling the firm to its first £100m-plus revenue tally in 2014-15 – a year in which profit per equity partner soared by 44% to £416,000 – and overseeing new office openings in Northern Ireland and Leeds.

Real estate head Boss, who has been at the firm for 14 years, said of his appointment: "I am extremely pleased to have gained the partnership's backing. I am confident I am the right successor to lead the business in the next phase of its journey, building on the exceptional work Claire has undertaken."

Separately, fellow UK top 50 firm Shakespeare Martineau has recruited Browne Jacobson COO Sarah Walker-Smith as its new CEO.

She replaces Andy Raynor, who has led the firm for four years and announced his intention to step down earlier this year.

The firm said it had carried out "an exhaustive process which attracted a large field of high-calibre candidates from across the legal sector and beyond", to select Raynor's replacement.

Shakespeare Martineau broke into the UK top 50 for the first time this year, after posting a 3.4% revenue rise to reach £73.9m. Walker-Smith will join the firm in February.