The Law Society has appointed Allen & Overy (A&O) global markets partner Stephen Denyer as its new City and international head.

Denyer, who is based in Frankfurt, holds a senior post overseeing the firm's approach to markets where the firm has not established a presence and coordinating its ties with relationship firms. He represents A&O with regulatory and professional bodies including the International Bar Association.

At the Law Society Denyer will move to London to take up the newly created full-time role. He will be responsible for strengthening the body's ties with larger firms in relation to their domestic and international activities. He will take up the job at the start of May 2014.

A&O is set to review Denyer's role at the firm as he prepares to leave, with the firm assessing its options regarding how to delegate his responsibilities.

Denyer held the role of international development partner at the firm from 2007 to 2009. Before that he was appointed regional managing partner for Europe for ten years.

He was also the firm's Italy co-managing partner position from 2003 to 2006, and helmed its Central and Eastern European practice from 1990 for seven years, heading up the Warsaw office for two years in 1995 and the Frankfurt base shortly afterwards for another two years.

The Law Society estimates there are around 17,000 legal professionals among its City membership, which will fall under Denyer's remit.

Last year the Law Society elected its next president when it appointed Andrew Caplen, a consultant with private client firm Heppenstalls, to the role of deputy vice president.

Under the Law Society president succession system, Caplen is set to become president of the next year, succeeding current postholder Nick Fluck.