High-profile British Airways (BA) general counsel Robert Webb QC is stepping down after 10 years in the role, with his responsibilities set to be spilt into two jobs.

Webb – who joined BA in 1998 and most recently represented the airline in its ongoing price-fixing dispute – is set to step down at the end of March.

Webb, who was called to the Bar in 1971 and made QC in 1988 when he became 5 Bell Yard's head of chambers, will now look to extend his non-executive roles. He already sits as a non-executive director at the BBC and the London Stock Exchange.

Webb's responsibilities at BA will pass on to Maria Da Cunha – a former Lloyds of London competition lawyer – who has been the airline's head of legal since 2002. Da Cunha will remain in this role as well as heading up BA's government and industry affairs, while Tim Steeds will take on Webb's other role as director of safety and security.

BA is still in discussions as to whether it should scrap the title of general counsel altogether.

Webb, who has not ruled out the possibility of returning to chambers, commented: "BA is a great company and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Ten years is about the right time for any one job."

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