RUSSELL Bowman, finance director for the Beaulieu Estate, is the new president of the Southern Society of Chartered Accountants.

He takes over from David Lapthorn, a partner in Dorset firm Ward Goodman.

Mr Bowman, who has been in his present job for the past five years, was previously finance director with the RNLI's sales company in Poole, after two years in Monaco.

He acts as finance director for the companies that run the Beaulieu visitor attraction and Beaulieu River as well as the National Motor Museum Trust.

He lives in the New Forest near Lymington with his wife Sally and children Christopher and Laurel and is chairman of the governors of South Baddesley Church of England Primary School.

As SOSCA president he will represent the interests of about 4,500 chartered accountants in Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and South Wiltshire. During his year in office he wants to ensure that communication between the Institute of Chartered Accountants and it southern members is effective.

He took over as president at the SOSCA annual general meeting, held at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Adrian Simpson, audit partner for Mazars in Poole, was elected deputy president.