Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed new co-heads for its global competition, antitrust and trade practice.

The firm has chosen Brussels and City-based partner John Davies and Duesseldorf managing partner Martin Klusman (pictured above, left to right) as the new co-leaders of the 250-lawyer group, with the duo succeeding incumbents David Aitman and Helmut Bergmann as of next week (15 September).

Aitman and Bergmann are stepping down after completing their four-year term, with the new co-heads appointed for the same length of time.

Davies currently also heads Freshfields' consumer and healthcare group, but the firm is set to appoint a successor in the coming weeks with Davies to focus solely on his new role.

Davies, who joined Freshfields in 1983, is the former managing partner of the firm's Brussels office, which he founded in 1989.

Klusman has managed the firm's Duesseldorf office for the last four years in addition to the local competition group, which he has led for the last ten years. Freshfields will replace him in both of his other management roles.

Freshfields senior partner Konstantin Mettenheimer commented: "John and Martin are outstanding competition lawyers and recognised experts in their fields. Their client-driven approach, coupled with their determination to foster talent from within the firm, will ensure that we remain a market leader in this key area for our clients."