Ashurst dispute resolution partner Ben Tidswell (pictured) has been elected as the firm's new chair, beating current senior partner Charlie Geffen in a vote among partners.

Tidswell – who will take up the role next month – ran against Geffen and legacy Blakes competition and consumer protection partner Peter Armitage. Tidswell achieved the required 50% majority in the first round of voting.

It is understood that a group of partners, including several members of the Ashurst board, warned Geffen that he was in danger of losing the vote if he put his name forward for re-election.

A source at the firm said that the bulk of Tidswell's support was likely to have come from legacy Blakes partners. "There may have been a desire to punish Charlie for driving a hard deal in the merger negotiations," said a partner at the firm.

Geffen, then Ashurst's private equity head, beat litigation partner Ed Sparrow in the race to succeed Geoffrey Green as senior partner role in 2008. He had not faced a partnership vote again until this week.

Tidswell joined Ashurst in 1993 and has been a partner in the London-based dispute resolution team since 2000. He became a board member in 2007.

Following his victory, he told Legal Week: "I have a very clear vision for the firm to be amongst the global elite. We need to make the most of the merger and focus on key markets. It's an exciting business particularly in relation to Asia, and we need to keep investing in Europe and to make the most of other opportunities. It's a hugely competitive market place and clients expect us to be really at the top of our game.

"I am very grateful to have been elected by the partners to this new role, after a healthy debate. I'm looking forward to working with the vice chair, once elected, as part of our new management team."

Ashurst global managing partner, James Collis, commented: "On behalf of the partnership, I congratulate Ben on his appointment. Ben has considerable leadership skills. As Board member of Ashurst LLP for the last six years, and chair of the New Partners Committee prior to that, he has made a significant contribution to the firm and its strategy. He will make an exceptional Chair and help us drive our ambition to become a global elite law firm."

Elections for the vice chair and eight of the 14 board members will take place shortly. The vice chair role will only be open to candidates from Ashurst Australia, with current chair Mary Padbury widely tipped to win the vote.