Clifford Chance (CC) is refocusing its business around 13 key sector groups in a bid to strengthen client relationships and increase referral work across different practices.

Corporate chief Matthew Layton and finance head Mark Campbell have been spearheading the initiative, which will see teams of partners and business development staff from different practices working together within each sector group.

The firm has operated across a number of sectors for years but took the decision to expand the sectors and its focus on them earlier this year. It is now in the process of formalising the groups – deciding who will sit within each and putting in place clear targets for the sector heads.

A CC spokesperson said: "We've had sector groups for many years, some more active and wide-ranging than others, but now we're putting in place clear expectations and accountability for the sector leaders and aligning teams of partners and business development across the firm to support them. This is more comprehensive than in the past and more structured."

The 13 sectors are: leisure; investment management; consumer goods and retail; insurance; communication, media & technology; transport and logistics; industrials, real estate, energy & infrastructure; healthcare; sovereign wealth; banks & financial institutions; and private equity.

The sector focus will play a key part in Layton's strategy for strengthening the corporate practice. Layton, who took up the post in October, is keen to build revenues from public companies and non-financial institutions.