Bottomley to play new role at Odgers search firm; Holmes may step down

Iain McNeil, the chief operating officer, said: "The aim is to groom her for eventual leadership of the board practice," following the departure of the practice chairman, Roddy Gow, who said last week he was leaving to set up his own firm.

For the moment Richard Boggis-Rolfe, Odgers' chief executive, is taking over as head of the practice.

Bottomley, who was Health Secretary and then Heritage Secretary between 1992 and 1997, joined Odgers in 2000 to fill roles in charities and public bodies. McNeil said she might focus less on such work in future. Bottomley is also currently a board practice partner.

McNeil also indicated that John Holmes, the head of financial services at Odgers, might step down in coming months. "We are looking at succession planning, though nothing is decided," McNeil said. "Whatever happens we hope (Holmes) stays on as a fee-earner."

Several senior staff have left Odgers in recent months, the latest being asset management specialist and board practice partner Karen Morgan Thomas, who is leaving to set up her own firm.

McNeil said Odgers would not be rushing to hire more staff. "Markets are quiet and we will hire when we need to," he said.