DLA Piper has appointed a new new UK managing partner, with UK head of intellectual property (IP) and technology Mark O'Conor set to take over the role from current incumbent Andrew Darwin.

O'Conor will take up his new post on 2 April, with Darwin relocating to Australia to become managing partner of the firm's Australian arm.

The appointment marks the second recent promotion for O'Conor, who was handed leadership of DLA's UK IP and technology group head last May, after joining the firm in 2005 following 12 years at Bird & Bird.

O'Conor (pictured), whose clients include Lloyds Banking Group, will be expected to divide his time between his management and client-facing roles. A consultation is underway to find his successor as UK IP and technology practice leader.

He will become the third person to hold the UK managing partner title in little over a year, after Darwin took up the role last April, succeeding David Bradley, who returned to full-time practice in the employment, pensions and benefits group. Bradley had held the role since 2009.

In the new role of Australia managing partner, Darwin will work alongside Asia-Pacific managing director Bob Charlton, freeing up the latter to concentrate on matters across Asia. Australia senior partner Tony Holland will now take up the role of Australia chairman and will report to Darwin once he begins his initial two-year term.