Ashurst corporate head Adrian Clark has stepped down from his role as the firm appoints Stephen Lloyd to the newly-created position of global head of corporate.

Lloyd, the former managing partner of the London corporate department, will take up the new role of global head of corporate, which will see him lead the firm's corporate strategy as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the global corporate practice.

At the same time, fellow corporate partner Simon Beddow has been appointed to the new role of European managing partner of corporate.

Beddow has been a partner at the firm since 1998 and headed the firm's Germany offices between 2005 and 2009.

Lloyd commented: "Adrian was due to step down later this year, and this gave us the opportunity to think about the management structure of the corporate practice. My role will be primarily external-facing, while Simon will look after Ashurst's European offices, which he is very well placed to do."

Beddow said: "Having worked in our offices in Germany and Paris, I look forward to continuing my involvement with our continental offices. We have a great team in place and helping to steer corporate through this next stage in its development is an exciting opportunity."

Clark (pictured), who joined the firm from Slaughter and May in 1986, has acted as head of corporate for six years. He will now focus on client work.

The new appointments will officially take effect on 1 September.

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