Accounting firm Littlejohn has named Carmine Papa as managing partner with effect from 1 June, replacing Paul Hopper, who is stepping down from the role after 17 years.

With the firm since 1983, Papa is an insurance sector expert and advises on audit, regulatory and tax matters. He has also been involved in some of Littlejohn's largest corporate finance projects.

He is currently head of the business services division, which has 23 partners and 88 staff, and is responsible for the audit and assurance, business support and corporate finance service teams, as well as its specialist insurance industry arm.

Papa will divide his time between advising clients and managing the firm. 'I look forward to working with the partners and staff to continue to build on Littlejohn's strong position, particularly in our core markets - insurance, the capital markets, international and not for profit,' he said

'These are interesting and exciting times for the firm. In particular, joining the PKF International network on 1 July opens up significant opportunities.'

Hopper will continue to advise clients in the commercial, not for profit and public sectors, including independent schools, the Audit Commission and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office. He will remain on the firm's management board.

Littlejohn is ranked 37th in the Accountancy Top 60 firms league table with annual fee income of £16.3m and has 127 staff in the UK.