Japanese bank Nomura has named Mark Chapman as its new European general counsel.

Chapman, previously of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, joined the bank's corporate legal department in 2000 and was most recently head of corporate litigation and company secretary. He will now report to regional president and chief executive Yugo Ishida.

He replaces former European general counsel and ex-Linklaters managing partner Terence Kyle, who retired from the bank in March after three years in the role.

Kyle left to join mentoring consulting group IDDAS, which numbers former International Bar Association chief Francis Neate and former Simmons & Simmons senior partner Janet Gaymer on its board of mentors.

Kyle led Nomura's last review of its external advisers in 2005, when Allen & Overy, Ashurst, Freshfields, Linklaters, SJ Berwin and Osbourne Clark all bagged panel spots.

A new review is planned for later this year.

Meanwhile, Nomura head of corporate legal Colin Blackmore has been promoted to international head of transaction legal. Blackmore, Chapman and compliance head David Gordon have shared responsibilities for the European general counsel role since Kyle's departure.

Ishida said in a statement: "I am delighted to announce the promotions of our two most senior lawyers. Both have contributed hugely to the success of Nomura in Europe and will continue to bring their skill and experience forward."