Clifford Chance (CC) has overhauled the management of its global antitrust group with the introduction of new managing partner and chair roles for the practice.

London-based competition partner Oliver Bretz will take on the managing partner role while Brussels partner Thomas Vinje becomes the firm's new practice chair.

CC has been working out the new structure since the departure of former antitrust head Simon Baxter to the Brussels office of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in June this year.

The magic circle firm said the reorganisation to instate the two leaders will help to coordinate the practice more effectively, as the group now has around 150 lawyers globally and remains in growth mode.

Bretz told Legal Week: "The antitrust group is now of a size and geographical spread that it is impossible for one person to manage it effectively. It is important that we have the right management structure to ensure that we can implement the strategy."

As chair of the group, Vinje will focus on the group's overall strategy and top-level leadership, particularly focusing on growing the practice in the US and Asia. Meanwhile, Bretz's role will see him focus on oversight and delivery of the group's growth strategy worldwide, and he will spend a large part of his time in Brussels.

The antitrust group sits within CC's corporate practice. Group managing partner Matthew Layton commented: "This is a very ambitious group, with great potential to build on what is already an excellent market position."

The appointment comes after Bretz was also named the firm's new head of public policy in the EU last month, replacing retiring partner Michael Smyth.