A CHARTERED accountancy business has been bought out by its management.

Douglass Grange, of Blakewater Road, Blackburn, has been taken over by Gerard Whiteside, who has taken the reigns as partner from co-founder Ian Douglass.

Mr Douglass will continue to work for the company in an advisory role.

Fellow partner Anthea Grange said: “The business has performed strongly over the past few years and with this finance in place we are looking to grow further.”

“We hope to increase the team by 25 per cent in the next three years and are currently analysing future acquisition opportunities.”

The firm, which was founded in 2006, employs 12 and works with more than 300 clients.

The management buyout was backed by Yorkshire Bank.