Allen & Overy's flexible legal services business head Richard Punt has left the magic circle firm, in the second senior departure at the firm to emerge today.

Punt has led the firm's contract lawyer business Peerpoint since 2014, when he was joined from Deloitte as its first standalone chief executive. It was unclear Monday where Punt was headed.

He will be replaced by Peerpoint founder and managing director Ben Williams and Asia-Pacific head Carolyn Aldous, who will co-lead the business.

Peerpoint, which was launched in London in 2013, draws on a bank of contract lawyers—referred to as consultants—to assist clients on projects during periods of high demand.

It has expanded internationally since its launch, opening in Amsterdam via a pilot in 2017 which has since been made permanent.

Speaking to The American Lawyer affiliate Legal Week last year, Punt said further continental European growth was on the cards, with Frankfurt viewed as a possible location. The firm is also moving towards launching the service in the United States, with New York the most immediate priority.

Before joining A&O, Punt spent more than 18 years at Deloitte, where he was managing partner for clients and markets.

A&O senior partner Wim Dejonghe said in a statement that “Richard has been instrumental in the success of Peerpoint, which is the market-leading consultant lawyer business and is at the heart of A&O's advanced delivery capability. We will miss his energy and intellect and wish him every success in the future.”