A LOCAL solicitor thinks he is the first in the country to switch professions and become a licensed insolvency practitioner.

Mr Mark Getliffe, aged 34, retrained for accountancy after nearly 10 years working in the law.

He has relinquished his right to practise as a solicitor and, after studying and qualifying, is now enjoying his new career as a corporate recovery/insolvency partner with CLB, formerly known as Cooper Lancaster Brewers.

The firm, which is approximately the 26th largest accountancy practice in the UK, has an office in Wood Street, Bolton, where Mr Getliffe now works.

He was born in Salford and after university spent eight years at Porter Hope & Knipe in Bolton before joining Laytons in Manchester and London.

work associated with insolvency issues inspired him to switch professions.

He said: "I have worked with CLB over the last 12 years both as adviser and as client and we saw the tremendous potential for the firm and myself in combining our complementary legal and accountancy skills."

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