DLA Piper Asia-Pacific managing director Alastair da Costa (pictured) is stepping down from his role to be replaced by finance and projects group head Bob Charlton.

Da Costa is returning to take up a role in the UK, with Charlton's post to be filled by Charles Morrison, a projects partner who specialises in emerging markets.

Da Costa took up the Asia-Pacific leadership role in May last year, working out of the Hong Kong office with responsibility for 700 lawyers spread across Australia, China, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. His new post has not been confirmed, but partners at the firm have said he will be based in the Leeds office.

London-based Charlton is seen as a suitable choice to lead the Asia-Pacific group due to his time at the helm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Middle East and North Africa finance practice. He joined DLA in 2009.

DLA Piper's Asia practice comprises 13 offices, with hubs including Tokyo and Singapore used to service markets in which the firm lacks a presence on the ground.

Accounts filed with Companies House show the firm's Asia practice took in turnover of £61m for the 2010-2011 financial year, up from £58m in 2009-2010, while profit fell by around £1m to £24m.