Berrymans Lace Mawer has installed insurance specialist Terry Renouf as its new senior partner, following the decision, earlier this year of veteran chief Paul Taylor to stand down from the firm's helm.

Renouf will take up the role at the top 60 UK firm from 1 April, 2006, after winning out over several other candidates in a formal partnership election.

Renouf will be based at the insurance specialist's City office.

"My brief is made that much easier because, under Paul Taylor's leadership, we are financially very strong and totally clear in our commitment to insurance law," Renouf told Legal Week.

"We now expect to be building considerably on the insurance side of our practice for some time to come," he added.

Outgoing head Taylor is set to focus on the continuing development of Berrymans' expanding construction practice in the Middle East, which is based in its Dubai arm.

The 99-partner firm is best known for its contentious insurance and construction practices.

Its core clients include Zurich, Allianz Cornhill and Norwich Union.