Music giant EMI reshuffled its legal team last month, promoting Chris Ancliff to the top legal job as veteran general counsel Charles Ashcroft stepped down from the role.

Ashcroft, who had been general counsel at EMI for more than 10 years, said he was making the move for health reasons but would remain at the music group as company secretary.

Ancliff, who joined the company in 1998 from PolyGram, was formerly its associate general counsel. He has now taken on overall responsibility for all of EMI's legal affairs, as well as being handed a further communications role as government relations officer.

He is also in the process of overhauling the structure of the legal team and will report directly to chief executive Eric Nicoli.

Nicoli commented: "I completely understand and respect Charles' decision to reduce his workload and am very pleased that we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and expertise."

Ancliff's promotion comes amid a renewed takeover bid from larger US rival Warner Music.

The British music giant – which boasts artists such as Robbie Williams, Queen and Iggy Pop – received an approach from Warner Music in mid-February, which is yet to be formalised. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is advising the company.

Freshfields advised EMI last year when the music company attempted to buy Warner Music. The US company, which was advised by Herbert Smith, then engaged in a 'Pac-Man' defence by bidding for its rival itself.