Herbert Smith has elected James Palmer and Malcolm Hitching as its new global heads of corporate and finance respectively.

Palmer (pictured), who stood uncontested, will replace Michael Walter, who has held the corporate role since 2005.

He will work alongside fellow corporate partner Patrick Mitchell, who has been appointed to the newly-created role of global managing partner of corporate, taking responsibility for the internal management of the group.

Hitching stood against partner Ewen Fergusson for the head of finance job, and will now replace Jason Fox, who is standing down after five years in the role. He will continue to work with clients as well as managing the practice.

Litigation head Sonya Leydecker has also been elected for a second term, standing uncontested.

The new divisional heads, who all required at least 50% support from the firm's partnership, start their new terms as of 1 May.

The management shake-up follows December's unveiling of competition partner Jonathan Scott as Herbert Smith's next senior partner. Scott will take over from current incumbent David Gold in May.

Gold commented: "My congratulations go to the successful candidates. With Ian Cox continuing as global head of real estate, and the four division heads working closely with Jonathan Scott and David Willis, Herbert Smith can look forward to the sort of strong leadership essential for the future successful development of the firm."