DLA Piper's Dubai head is leaving to take up a new role as chief executive of the firm's Australian alliance partner.

Tony Holland, who also heads DLA's regional finance practice in the Middle East, has accepted an offer to join DLA Phillips Fox and will take on the CEO role 15 February 2010.

DLA Piper has yet to name a new Dubai managing partner and regional finance head to succeed Holland.

DLA Phillips Fox chairman Martin Wiseman said: "The board is extremely pleased Tony Holland has accepted our offer to join as chief executive. He brings to the role leading law firm expertise, strong client and market experience, a close relationship with our alliance firm DLA Piper and respected leadership and management skills to lead our firm in its next stage of growth and evolution."

Holland said: "I know DLA Phillips Fox well, and see them as a strong player with great potential in the Asia-Pacific region. I am looking forward to working with the leadership group and the partners of the firm in the next stage of its development and growth."

Before joining DLA Piper in 2008, Holland was a partner with Australian leader Mallesons in its Melbourne and London offices and was head of its banking finance and project finance practice.

At DLA Phillips Fox, Holland, who is a native Australian, will divide his time between the firm's offices Melbourne and Sydney.