Norton Rose finalises combined executive team for January launch

Norton Rose is to phase out its London managing partner position as the firm finalises its combined management team ahead of its January merger with Deacons.

The top 10 City firm has opted to ditch its separate London head position when the merger goes live on 1 January, with current managing partner Deirdre Walker to take up a new role as head of a combined practice group covering dispute resolution, employment, tax, incentives, anti-trust, competition and regulation.

Walker (pictured), who has managed the London office for the last seven years, will also serve as one of eight members on the combined Norton Rose Group executive committee, which is made up of Norton Rose and Deacons members.

Chief executive Peter Martyr will remain in charge of the combined firm and retains a position on the committee, which will manage strategy for the combined firm. He is joined by his opposite number at Deacons, chief executive partner Don Boyd, who will become the deputy group chief executive.

The remaining members of the board are Norton Rose's Asia chief David Stannard, corporate chief Tim Marsden, banking head Jeremy Edwards, chief finance officer Kevin Mortell and Deacons' Canberra head Liz Hallett.

The appointment of the new executive committee comes as the merged firm puts the finishing touches to its main oversight board, which will comprise nine members from Norton Rose, including chairman Stephen Parish, and three members from Deacons.The final names have yet to be confirmed.

There will also be changes to Deacons' practice structure in Australia in the New Year as the firm moves across to Norton Rose's 'headlights' structure.

The two firms revealed their merger in June with the combined entity housing 1,800 lawyers globally. Norton Rose will boost its partner numbers by 146 and will acquire offices in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.

The two firms will initially operate separate profit pools but will contribute profits into a shared account to be used for expenses and bonuses.