Ashurst has appointed Paris-based banking partner James Collis as its new managing partner, following Simon Bromwich's decision last month to step down from the role ahead of schedule.

Collis (pictured), who will relocate to London to take up the role in the new financial year (1 May), has had a key role in shaping the firm's European banking strategy alongside banking chief Mark Vickers.

He specialises in general banking law with a particular focus on advising senior and junior creditors, agents, trustees, debt investors and borrowers in cross-border acquisition finance and restructuring transactions.

The firm has also created a new role for projects partner and longstanding board member Logan Mair, who will assume a position as client project and development partner.

Mair had been one of the individuals cited by partners as a likely candidate for the managing partner role, alongside real estate partner David Jones and European corporate chief Simon Beddow.

He will work closely with senior partner Charlie Geffen and Collis, as well as practice and regional heads, to help facilitate integration between Ashurst's offices and practices in the light of its recent combination with legacy Blake Dawson.

Geffen said: "We have a very strong management team in place and we are confident James' skill set and knowledge of the wider firm will play a key role in achieving our ambitions of being one of a small group of premier global law firms."

Collis added: "I look forward to working with my colleagues globally to ensure that we fully capitalise on our strengths across the firm's international network. Ashurst has recently undergone a period of transformational growth and I hope to both consolidate and build upon that in the future."