Linklaters has appointed a new head of client sectors, with project finance partner Fiona Hobbs succeeding Richard Godden after he stepped down from the role in October.

Hobbs, who has advised clients including Centrica and BG Group, has been appointed for a four-year term, which takes effect today (1 November). The new role also sees her take up a post on the magic circle firm's executive committee.

Commenting on the appointment, managing partner Simon Davies said: "I am very pleased to welcome Fiona to this role – her broad client and international experience make her very well placed to lead our focus in putting clients at the heart of what we do in order to build and strengthen our client relationships."

Corporate partner Godden, who spent five years as client sectors head, will now focus on client work.

Godden is one of a number of partners cited as potential candidates to replace senior partner David Cheyne, whose term is due to conclude in September 2011.

Other early contenders for the role touted by the partnership include former corporate head David Barnes and global banking head Robert Elliott, as well as corporate finance partner Matthew Middleditch.