Clifford Chance (CC) has elected partner Andrew Forryan as the firm's new London capital markets head.

Forryan takes over from David Bickerton, who was recently voted in as London managing partner.

He will officially take up his new role on 1 January 2010. The capital markets team currently has 27 partners and more than 150 lawyers.

Forryan has been a partner with CC since 1997 and advises on the securitisation and financing of real estate, businesses and loan facilities. He has also recently acted on restructurings and work-outs.

Forryan said: "We have been able, over the past couple of years, to retain a very strong capability, working on counter-cyclical transactions and deals flowing from the credit crisis and the closure of certain markets. These range from insolvencies and restructurings, rights issues, re-capitalisations and central bank liquidity schemes.

"As the capital markets emerge blinking into this new world, we are extremely well placed to capitalise on the opportunities which will arise."

The appointment comes after CC cut eight fee earning roles from its London capital markets practice earlier this month. At the time, the firm said no other practices had been affected.