THE senior partner at Dickinson Dees yesterday announced he is to step down from his role next year.

Robin Bloom is leaving the firm, which is based in Newcastle, to head the legal team at Gibson O’Neill Limited, majority-owned by Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson.

Mr Bloom joined Dickinson Dees in 2000, initially as part of the duo that established the firm’s Tees Valley office. In 2004, he was elected as senior partner in the firm and was re-elected to the same role in 2007.

In his time as senior partner, the firm has increased annual turnover from £18.9m to £51.4m and has opened offices in York and London.

In his role with Gibson O’Neill, he will deal with ventures including Bulkhaul, Middlesbrough Football Club and Rockliffe Hall, the region’s newest five-star hotel, spa and championship golf course.

Mr Bloom said: “Dickinson Dees is a fantastic place to work and the decision to stand down as senior partner has been one of the toughest of my career.

“However, nothing lasts forever and I wanted to announce, well in advance, that I will be leaving. That will give my fellow partners a period of time, during which I will still be fully engaged in the business, to look at the future nature of the role before deciding on my successor.”

Jonathan Blair, managing partner at Dickinson Dees, said: “Robin’s contribution has been immense and he will be greatly missed by us all.”