Horwath Clark Whitehill (HCW), the UK's 15th largest accountancy firm, has voted to convert to a limited liability partnership (LLP).

The change will take place on 1 April this year. David Furst, HCW's current chief executive will become chairman of the LLP and Andrew Pianca, the present chairman, will become the LLP's chief executive.

Andrew Pianca has been with the firm since 1977 and heads up the firm's not-for-profit group. David Furst, who has been CEO since 1998, will be reassuming his previous role as head of the firm's professional practices group.

Furst said: 'The introduction of LLP status is an important step forward for the firm and reflects the changing nature of the accountancy profession.

The move to LLP status is a more modern way of conducting business as it involves greater transparency, which we believe is to be fully encouraged.'