Linklaters global head of legal sourcing Brian Henderson, who played a key role in the magic circle firm's recent paralegal arrangement with Integreon, has left to join Baker & McKenzie.

At Bakers, Henderson will take up the role of chief operating officer for the firm's Hong Kong, China and Vietnam offices. His remit will be to develop new strategic initiatives in the region, as well as assisting with the overall management of the offices.

He will take up his new post later this week (2 March) and will be based in Hong Kong. During his 12-year tenure at Linklaters, Henderson held a number of strategic roles in London and Paris.

Henderson's move comes after a number of non-legal management appointments at Bakers. Ian Dinwiddie – formerly Allen & Overy's (A&O's) longstanding finance director – joined the firm in January as chief financial officer from Hildebrandt Consulting. Meanwhile, Yarman Vachha joined as Asia-Pacific regional operating officer – also from A&O – in September 2010.

Asia regional managing partner Poh Lee Tan said: "Brian's experience in law firm management makes him an ideal fit as we continue to grow across China and Vietnam."

The news comes months after Linklaters announced plans to partner with outsourcing firm Integreon in a bid to build a lower-cost alternative for clients. The move saw the firm expand its use of paralegals and move volume legal work outside London, handling legal work in the Colchester office it uses for business support for the first time.

Linklaters signed a deal with Integreon to supply paralegals to support the venture, with the firm ramping up paralegal headcount to around 80 across the UK and Germany.

For more, see: Linklaters calls on Integreon to back new low-cost service.