Baker & McKenzie former London managing partner Gary Senior (pictured) has been elected to serve on the firm's global Executive Committee, succeeding Beatriz Araujo whose term has ended.

The announcement was made at Bakers' annual meeting in Singapore which took place between last week. Senior – whose term on the committee will last four years – will be responsible for developing and implementing the firm's global business strategy as well as carrying out general management duties.

Senior will join other committee members, including litigator Bruce Hambrett (Sydney), IP specialist Jim Holloway (Toronto), M&A partner Phil Suse (Chicago), corporate finance partner Koen Vanhaerents (Brussels) and IP partner Winston Zee (Hong Kong).

Eduardo Leite, chairman of Baker & McKenzie's Executive Committee said: "Our deepest gratitude goes to Bea for her service to the firm and commitment to championing our client-driven strategy Congratulations to Gary on his new role. His experience, insight and passion will prove invaluable as we strive to be our clients' most trusted global advisors."

Senior joined Bakers as a trainee in London in 1984 and became partner in 1992. He has extensive experience representing clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and also spent time working in the firm's Chicago office. Between 2003 and 2013, Senior served as managing partner of the London office, with Paul Rawlinson taking over the role in July .

At the same time the firm also announced a shake-up of its London management committee with corporate partner Helen Bradley and employment partner Monica Kurnatowska added to the board, replacing Gary Senior and Peter Strivens who stepped down after five years on the committee.

Commenting on the firm's annual meeting Andy Leck, managing partner in Singapore, said: "It is fitting that we gathered in Singapore to discuss how we can better serve our clients in this rapidly developing region. Today, the rapid growth of Southeast Asia's economies and the development ambitions of the Singapore Government have made Singapore the financial, business and technological centre for the Southeast Asian region."

In the past 12 months the firm has opened new offices in Seoul, Casablanca, Lima and Dubai.

Last week it emerged that Bakers had won a spot on China Resources' first international legal panel, alongside Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells. Around ten firms are understood to have been appointed to the panel which is subdivided into practice areas which include litigation and M&A.