The chief executive of Bradford's Chamber of Commerce said today she was "disappointed" that finance giant Grant Thornton is to quit the city.

The company, the last remaining national accountancy firm in Bradford, has announced plans to shut its office in Eldon Place and move it to Leeds.

The decision is a major blow to the city's business community and the Chamber in particular, as its current president, Roland Clark, is a partner at the firm's Bradford office.

Grant Thornton's decision to quit Bradford for Leeds, where it will operate an enlarged regional office, comes just three months after Mr Clark took up his role as president.

He confirmed yesterday he is to leave the business "by mutual agreement". Today Chamber chief executive Sandy Needham criticised Grant Thornton's decision but insisted Mr Clark would continue in his role.

"We feel that Bradford is currently undergoing some positive changes that will soon accelerate and have a clear economic benefit for businesses," she said.

"We are therefore disappointed that Grant Thornton, a long-standing member of Bradford Chamber, has reached this decision. Each business, though, needs to operate and plan differently according to how it sees present and future trends."

She said the chamber had no hesitation in allowing Mr Clark to continue in his role.

"We are confident of his ability to continue representing chamber members on issues affecting them, and on his securing even better services for members."