Bird & Bird has appointed John Chiu as chief operating officer (COO) for Greater China and corporate development officer for Asia.

The firm's London and China executive committees developed the first-time roles in light of its ambitious strategy to grow the area to represent 20% of the firm's total revenue and lawyer headcount in the next three to five years.

Chiu joined the firm's Hong Kong practice in 2010 as its finance and administration director. He will split his time between Hong Kong and the firm's Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore practices in his new positions.

Chairman of the China executive committee Justin Walkey commented: "John's appointment is an integral part of Bird & Bird's international development strategy to put in place high level management and operational structures, and further reinforces our commitment to clients in the Asia Pacific region.

"His knowledge and understanding of the firm's long-term management and financial strategy made him the best man for the job."

The promotion comes after a number of hires in the Asia Pacific region for the firm this year, including energy partner David Renton, who joined its Hong Kong base from Baker Botts in June, and corporate partner Padraig Walsh and disputes partner Richard Keady, who both joined its Hong Kong office in April from Clyde & Co.

Bird & Bird also announced four new partner-hires to its Asia offices in March: corporate partners Xia Chao and John Koh in Shanghai and Hong Kong respectively, and disputes partner Catherine Mun, IP partner Lorraine Tay and corporate partner Marcus Chow in Singapore.