City firm Farrer & Co has named Cushman & Wakefield executive and European counsel Ben Bennett as its new chief operating officer (COO).

His role as Farrers' COO comes with a six-figure salary and will see him take responsibility for implementing the 63-partner firm's strategy, as well as leading the support functions. He is set to start at Farrers in the New Year.

Bennet is a former Herbert Smith litigation associate and joined property consultants Cushman in 2003 from car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler.

Farrers scrapped its chief executive officer position in June after Andrew Mills-Baker announced that he was to step down after nine years in the role. Senior partner Robert Clinton said at the time that Mills-Baker's retirement was an opportunity for the firm to review its management structure for the future.

Clinton said: "Ben combines having worked as a lawyer in a top-flight practice before turning to management roles in business. This is a rare combination and we will benefit enormously from his input."