Michael Todd QC of Erskine Chambers has been named chairman-elect of the Bar Council following a contested vote.

Todd (pictured) will take up the post of vice chairman on 1 January 2011 and will progress to become Bar Council chairman a year later on 1 January 2012.

His appointment follows a contested election against two other candidates -commercial barrister Richard Slater QC of 3 Verulam Buildings and criminal barrister Stephen Leslie QC of Furnival Chambers.

Incumbent vice-chairman Peter Lodder QC of 2 Bedford Row is set to take over as chairman of the Bar from Brick Court Chambers' Nicholas Green QC on 1 January 2011.

Andrew Mitchell will remain as treasurer for his fourth term during 2011 after standing unopposed.

Todd commented: "I am delighted to be taking up this role. The great thing about the Bar is its adaptability. It is unrecognisable to how it was 30 years ago and although we have kept traditions, values and integrity, we must make sure that we are able to adapt for the future."

He added: "We will look at how to react positively to the Legal Services Commissions direct contracting proposals as well as new ways of working under the changes coming in with the Legal Services Act."

Todd, who was called to the Bar in 1977 and took silk in 1997, served as chairman of the Chancery Bar Association between 2007 and 2010, and in 2008 was included in The Times' Power 100 rankings, which lists influential British business figures.

Todd specialises in company law, corporate finance, capital markets and corporate insolvency – advising and litigating on a number of issues including takeovers, M&A, shareholder disputes, directors' duties and banking securities.