Linklaters' global antitrust head Gerwin Van Gerven is stepping down after eight years in the role, with London competition partner Michael Cutting set to take over at the helm of the practice.

Cutting, who headed the firm's London competition practice between 2004 and 2007, will split his time between Linklaters' London and Brussels offices as part of the new post.

Cutting has advised on numerous high-profile transactions including Lloyds TSB's £12.2bn takeover of HBOS in 2008, on which he advised Lloyds on competition aspects alongside fellow London antitrust partner Bill Allan.

Van Gerven, who took up the role alongside former antitrust partner Alec Burnside in 2003 and became sole practice head in 2007, will now return to client-facing work.

In addition Sir Christopher Bellamy QC has been appointed chairman of the practice. Bellamy, who joined Linklaters as a senior consultant in 2007, is a former president of the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal.

News of the appointments comes after senior competition partner Burnside left Linklaters to launch a Brussels base for US law firm Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft. His departure was seen as a blow to the magic circle firm, due to his close relationship to several important clients, including Microsoft.

Burnside has taken his role advising on Deutsche Borse's pending merger with NYSE Euronext with him to Cadwalader, where he is now working with a joint team from both firms.

Burnside's departure left the Linklaters' Brussels base with four competition partners out of a total of 24 in the office. Cutting's move to split his time between London and Brussels will supplement the group.