FURLEY Page has appointed chartered accountant Peter Somers as director of finance and administration.

Mr Somers, 47, was welcomed to the Kent-based firm by senior partner Peter Hawkes, who said the appointment reflects Furley Page's continued growth of its 12 practice areas in commercial and private client law.

Mr Hawkes said: "We are delighted Peter has joined us at a time when our services are consistently growing throughout the region. No doubt his considerable financial and management experience will further strengthen our reputation and assist our business development plans."

Mr Somers qualified with Deloitte Haskins & Sells in London in 1982. As a senior manager he gained experience in audit and corporate finance, working on a range of listed and multinational clients.

After the merger with Coopers & Lybrand in 1990, he specialised in corporate finance and became an FCA in 1993.

Since leaving Coopers & Lybrand in 1994, Mr Somers has had main board roles as finance director in a number of public and listed companies, managing relationships with investors, financiers and external advisers.

As finance director of MSB International plc, he was a member of the management team that guided the IT contract recruitment specialist to its successful flotation on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Mr Somers said: “In addition to Furley Page’s strong reputation for offering high quality legal services, the firm’s development plans are very exciting and I look forward to having the opportunity to make an important contribution.”

Established 280 years ago, Furley Page has offices in Canterbury and Whitstable offering legal services across 12 practice areas in commercial and private client law.