Taylor Wessing has overhauled its management board with real estate chief Keith Barnett set to replace finance head Rodney Dukes in the role in the New Year.

Barnett, who has headed the real estate team since 2007, will also replace Dukes leading one of the firm's three overarching business groups, which includes real estate, finance, insolvency, construction, environment and planning. He will be replaced as head of real estate by partner Mark Bennett from 1 January.

Dukes, who has led the divisional group since the firm's existing management structure was formed in 2008, will continue to head Taylor Wessing's finance practice.

Separately, construction partner Laurence Cobb will take over leadership of the firm's UK construction practice, replacing Helen Garthwaite, who will stay on as a partner and head of the firm's sustainability industry group.

Taylor Wessing's other UK board members are: managing partner Tim Eyles; corporate partner James Robertson (Business Group Director); head of intellectual property, media and entertainment Niri Shan (Business Group Director); Jean-Michel Beeching (international BD director), Charlotte Beckett (finance director), Clare Singleton (COO) and Caroline Rawes (HR director).

In 2008 Taylor Wessing overhauled its UK management by introducing a two-tier board structure to oversee operations for the London office.

The firm put in place a supervisory council and executive board, replacing a previous system that saw decisions being made by the managing partner and the seven departmental heads.

Practice areas are grouped into three divisions. Each divisional director sits on the executive board.

The elected supervisory council, which takes an oversight role and signs off the firm's budget, comprises UK senior partner Adam Marks, corporate finance partner Peter Kempe, IP partner Roland Mallinson and private client chief Mark Buzzoni.