Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has made two appointments to senior roles including new global leaders for its IP/IT practice and infrastructure & transport sector group.

The magic circle firm has appointed Cologne partner Matthias Koch (pictured) as its new IP/IT practice group head, succeeding fellow Cologne partner Klaus Beucher, who has held the role since 2006.

Meanwhile, Alan Ryan has been appointed as the firm's new global co-head of infrastructure & transport, as current co-head and London finance partner Nick Bliss steps down from the role.

Ryan will lead the practice alongside existing co-head and Hamburg private equity partner Nils Koffka.

Both appointments will come into effect from 1 May this year for four-year terms.

The news comes after the magic circle firm appointed a new global head of real estate earlier this month, with Hamburg partner Johannes Conradi set to assume the role from current head Chris Morris in May.

Conradi has been a partner at Freshfields since 1998 and also spent time as real estate global co-head between 2000 and 2006.

The appointments come after Freshfields became the first magic circle outfit to announce its 2012 partner promotions last month, with five London lawyers made up in a 20-strong round.