Dutch independent Houthoff Buruma has appointed a new leadership duo after both its managing partners reached the end of the tenures, the firm announced today (9 January).

Insurance partner Philippe Creijghton and banking partner Eddie Meijer were confirmed in the roles on 1 January, 2007, and will serve two-and-a-half-year terms.

They each take places Houthoff's executive committee, which also includes the chief financial officer and oversees the day-to-day running of the firm. For major decisions and strategy issues the executive committee is assisted by an advisory council which consists of five elected partners.

Creijghton and Meijer replace real estate partner Marry de Gaay Fortman and corporate partner Michiel Wesseling, who both return to full-time fee earning.

Wesseling and de Gaay Fortman had both been in their posts for five years, having each served the maximum two terms permitted by the firm.

During that period the firm maintained its independence despite a slew of foreign firms looking for tie-ups in the Netherlands, with Houthoff notably fending off an approach from top 10 City firm Norton Rose in 2001.

Other notable strategic moves under the Wesseling-de Gaay Fortman stewardship include Houthoff signing up to the Lex Mundi international network, succeeding legacy firm Trenite Van Doorne as the Dutch member of the alliance in 2004.