Lovells has refocused its City real estate practice along sector and work-group lines in a bid to target more profitable instructions while the property markets continue to suffer.

Lawyers within the group will now work across 13 different sub-groups, with partners taking responsibility for each area and leading initiatives to win new clients and work.

The reshuffle sees Jackie Newstead taking charge of the retail sector, Claire Dutch and Michael Gallimore leading the projects, infrastructure and energy groups in addition to planning work, while Nicholas Cheffings and Dan Norris will lead initiatives in the disputes and restructuring and insolvency areas respectively.

In addition, the team is targeting clients across sectors including corporate occupier, development, industrial, institutions and funds, international sovereign wealth and local authority and public bodies.

Lovells joint head of real estate Michael Stancombe said: "We anticipate different drivers in terms of a number of target sectors and how they react to the changing markets. Focusing on specific client and work categories will ensure we are best-placed to deal with market conditions and seize opportunities." Stancombe was recently named as Lovells' joint head of real estate alongside Bob Kidby as Kidby prepares to retire from the firm to join property developer Welbeck Land.